A friend of mine is giving a talk tomorrow on fermented beverages and
asked me the following about bees.

Quote:
Are honeybees attracted to fermenting fruits, etc. and alcoholic stuff
like yellow jackets are?  If so, are there any websites about it? I am
putting a twist on my talk tomorrow and am going to go a little into the
fact that lots of different animals have been enjoying the effects of
fermented materials since way before humans came along.  Lots of
examples, elephants being a favorite.
EndQuote.

I did find a study on bee reactions to alcohol and it only implied that
the bees drank it willingly. I had thought that bees wouldn't like as
they didn't like a beekeeper I know the day he had taken a shot of vodka
before working his bees.

http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/drunkbee.htm

Can anyone shed any light on this?  I could find no mention  in the
"Hive and the Honey Bee"  or in the "ABC and XYZ of Beekeeping".
Attempted the archives but was inundated with propolis removal etc.  Did
find one where bees would drink fermented sugar syrup at 10% alcohol or
less but the study in the link above went up to 100%.

Dick
In Memphis, TN
5 hives and counting...

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and  other info ---
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::