From IBRA reprint "M92" Feeding Sugar to Bees:  Unrefined beet sugar, brown
sugar, molasses, etc., will cause the bee rectum to fill with residue, and
so is not suitable for wintering.  For further details refer to IBRA library
references 99/60 and 951L/71.
 
I have observed starving colonies that were fed unrefined sugar in October
in the mid-west that were severely affected by dysentery by December.  They
were hauled to Texas by their owner in December who later described the
situation to me as a total loss.
 
>Does anyone have any direct experience or knowledge of the pros and cons of
>feeding unrefined sugar to honeybees?
>
>I am primarily interested in fall feeding and the suitability of unrefined
>sugar as a winter feed.
>
>--
>Tom Taylor
>HONEYWOOD BEE SUPPLIES
>Nipawin, Canada
>
>
Marion Ellis,  [log in to unmask]