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Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology

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Subject:
From:
Bill Truesdell <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Mon, 6 Oct 2003 08:47:27 -0400
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allen dick wrote:

> Missouri climates? I do not recall Allen feeding fructose but
> fructose is the syrup Dadant and most bee supply houses in the U.S.
> sell and is the easiest for us to get. 42% is available with a trip
> to "Oz" (Kansas). 55% is only available off the tanker.<<<
>
> 55% is the good stuff IMO.  Never used the other.  I hear 42 is OK in
>  warm climates.

42% granulates much more than 55% which is why 42% is OK in warm
climates. But 55% is the recommended bee feed if you have the choice.


> There are no solids in HFCS other than the sugars.  It is very pure,
> but you buy an off-spec load, the acids in it can destroy the bees'
> ability to digest.  Check the archives on this.  There was a big suit
> over that in Western Canada a few years back.  Don't know if it was
> ever settled, but the problem was cheap off-spec product sold as bee
> feed.

HFCS can be made by enzyme or acid. Acid produced HFCS is deadly for
bees and was the original production method. The enzyme produced HFCS
is fine and it is now the usual method of production. Both are called
HFCS which is where the problem is.

HFCS, in the British studies, was a very good bee feed.

Most feed are a matter of degree in how good they are. Except in the
lab, most of us would not notice much difference since there are so many
variables in the winter that a 5-15% difference from winter feed in
colony strength in the spring would not be noticed. The queen, weather
and mites will have more impact.

Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine

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