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Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology

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Subject:
From:
Jean-Pierre Chapleau <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Discussion of Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sat, 9 Nov 1996 12:54:24 -0500
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" Perhaps the bees are drunk?  Syrup will ferment if
water gets into it, but the bees will still take it sometimes. "
---------------------------------
 
Yes bees effectively get drunk and when drunk they behave very strangely.  I do not know if they get drunk by drinking fermented syrup or only by breathing alcohol vapors from fermented syrup but fermented syrup can make them drunk.
 
I am a bee breeder.  For years I have been puzzled by some mating nucs in which I was finding the majority of the population dead or dying from apparently drowning in the syrup can inside the mating hive.  I finally found the explanation this year, after 20 year observing this phenomenon.  (You will say I am quite slow!).  At first sight it looks like the whole colony is committing suicide by voluntarily trying to drown into the syrup can !  I finally realized that in all cases, leftover syrup had fermented in the can and there was a strong alcohol odor in the mating nuc !
 
Jean-Pierre CHAPLEAU
[log in to unmask]
1282, rang 8, St-Adrien (QC)
Canada J0A 1C0
(819) 828-3396; fax: (819) 828-0357

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