Mike in LA asks, "Did you find that the lower Ph inhibited the growth of mold/slime in the syrup mixture?  If not, do you remember about how long it took for the mold/slime growth to exhibit itself?"
 
My response:  The bees consume it so fast there is no time for mold or slime to form.  They lick every last drop up.  I also use my own home-made HBH and .5% salt (ala Bob Horr from an old ABJ), plus some bleach, about 1 tsp per gallon or 1 and 1/8 cup per 50 gallons.  The bleach keeps the stuff left in the barrel from fermenting.  The bleach idea came from Randy Oliver, I think.   The vinegar did not slow the fermentation.
 
Sometimes we get so used to doing things we forget why we do them.  Like cutting off the butt of the ham for Easter because my wife's mother did it, and her grandmother did it.  Turns out grandmother's pan was too short.  No reason at all, just habit.
 
Once the syrup hits the hive, it's gone.
 
Grant
Jackson, MO


      

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