>
> Back when extender patties (vegetable oil, sugar, Terramycin) were first
> being used, the sugar usually specified in the recipes was powdered, as
> in confectioner's. Today I notice that some recipes for extender patties
> and most recipes for oil and sugar patties for mite treatment specify
> granulated sugar. Why? Is it because of the starch in powdered sugar or
> is there something more?
 
     MAINLY because the powdered sugar is too expensive for large scale
operations. For mites, we want the bees to get in there and pull out chucks of
sugar; there is some indication that cleaning behavior is involved with this as
well.
 
 
> I have also seen reference to making your own powdered sugar by running
> granulated through a blender. Has anyone done this and is there an
> advantage?
>
     Why would you want to do this extra work? If you are using solid veg
shortening, you don't need to go to these extremes.
 
> Dick Bonney
> [log in to unmask]
>
          Hope this helps,
 
Diana