Does Sugar water spoil?

Bamabww · March 29, 2011, 02:28:41 PM

When I bought my friends hive and equipment earlier this month, along with it came 2 gallons of 1 to 1 sugar water he had mixed up in January or February. Both containers are milky looking. There is no odor to either one by opening them up. One of them has a cloud like stringy strand of something floating around.

I thought I'd feed them just to use them up before our blooming season starts but not if there's a chance they will be bad for the bees. If they are spoiled, will the bees feed on them at all?

VolunteerK9 · March 29, 2011, 02:36:25 PM

Yup, it will mold and get all funky looking. If there is any question on whether its good or not, I say chunk it. Sugar is cheaper to buy than bees.

T Beek · March 29, 2011, 03:02:56 PM

Dump it.

thomas

Kathyp · March 29, 2011, 03:17:28 PM

extra can be stored in the freezer forever. just something to keep in mind for later....

it stores well in heavy duty ziploc freezer bags. if you put it in jars, don't put the lid on until it's frozen.

OzBuzz · March 29, 2011, 10:38:26 PM

I'm a microbiologist by trade - dump it! typically syrups greater than 65o Brix are supposed to be incapable of bacterial contamination due to osmotic pressures but I have seen yeasts etc in 65o Brix syrups before... that cloudiness and stringiness is contamination - don't risk it. A 1:1 syrup wouldn't get anywhere near 65o brix. If you have syrup left over always freeze it. If you're not using it there and then at least store it between 2oC (35.6oF) - 8oC (46.4oF)

Bamabww · March 30, 2011, 03:27:31 AM

Thanks for all the advice. I'm not feeding it to the bees.

Finski · March 30, 2011, 10:32:02 AM

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If you want to store syrup, add sugar. 1:2 syrup will not spoil. Don't let moisture to the surface. Food oil make a moisture cover.

Hemlock · March 30, 2011, 12:14:43 PM

But Finski, Your syrup doesn't go bad 'cause you live in a freezer!... :-D

Finski · March 30, 2011, 02:35:37 PM

Quote from: Hemlock on March 30, 2011, 12:14:43 PM
But Finski, Your syrup doesn't go bad 'cause you live in a freezer!... :-D

only 4 months.

OzBuzz · March 30, 2011, 07:51:44 PM

Quote from: Finski on March 30, 2011, 10:32:02 AM
.
If you want to store syrup, add sugar. 1:2 syrup will not spoil. Don't let moisture to the surface. Food oil make a moisture cover.

I woudn't bet my life savings on it - i know on paper it shouldn't but i have seen 65o Brix syrup destroyed by yeast... i would always err on the side of caution and store it in a fridge/freezer