Jeff Cunningham, " wrote: >I am writing to ask if you think fine >white sugar powder with added maltose or 3% added cornstarch may be >considered appropriate for dusting honey bee colonies. Powdered sugars can have additives and are not good for either winter or early spring feeding since they can cause dysentery. Some powdered sugars do not have additives and are fine to use. However, for the Varroa test, it is no problem since the number of bees is limited and any ingested is limited and will be voided since the bees can leave the hive. The number of bees killed by the additives is normally not noticed even if fed in the spring, because of the rapid buildup in spring. Winter feeding in cold climates is different, but even then, might not be noticed since all the hives so treated will come out of the winter in the same state. In the summer or warm winter climates, it should pose few if any problems. Long answer to a short question. Bill Truesdell Bath, ME