Yoon says:

" Another problem associated with a glass jar atop outside is
that the syrup and the sun will interact to create this black fungus
inside the jar if the bees do not take the juice quickly."

I have had this problem, especially this year.  My bees aren't taking the
1:1 very fast at all.  Last year when this happened I ran the syrup through
my coffee filter and gave it back to the bees and they took it.  This year I
have filtered the syrup twice.  The bees have been extremely reluctant to
take the syrup, and I am wondering now if I should just throw the stuff out
and start with fresh syrup.  I put lemon viiger in it yesterday and let it
air out to evaporate any possible alcohol.  I have one of those 4 hole
devices which hold 4 mayonaise quart jars upside down over the inner cover
hole with a medium  box over it.   I like the gizzmo but  sometimes when the
temperature rises the pressure inside the jar pushes a lot of syrup out
making a mess that can't be good.  I have heard that the plastic freezer bag
method works good.  I wonder what the pros and cons of that method are?  So
far it doesn't look like I have poisoned my bees, but I don't really know
how to tell when the syrup has fermented other than to drink it and see if I
get a buzz.  Please pardon the unintentional pun.

Steve Noble

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