The HFCS discussion is interesting but lacks context in regard to when HFCS
is mostly used by beekeepers - which is winter feed.

Bailey did studies on winter feed and found sucrose (sugar) and HFCS were
both better winter feeds than Honey, mainly because of ash content. Some
northern nectars make very poor winter honeys because of that. Honeydew
honey often stays uncapped and is prone to fermentation as well as being
high ash. Some fall honey granulates quickly and is poor winter feed.
Dysentery is common here in Maine when you do not manage winter feed and
there are no winter thaws so the bees can fly and poop.

None of this matters to those in warmer climates because bees can fly often
during the shorter winters.

So to say that honey is the best food for bees is correct if only nutrition
is the subject, but it is a poor winter feed for those in harsh winter
areas, and, as noted, that is where sugar and HFCS are mostly fed to bees.
Also noted, both HFCS and sugar are great supplemental feeds for spring
buildup. But the bees also bring in nectar, so they are supplemental and
not bad for the bees but great for the beekeeper.

Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine

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