Worldwide Beekeeping
Beekeeping => General Beekeeping => Topic started by: Jen on October 30, 2021, 07:32:45 pm
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Has anyone ever heard of putting a splash of apple cider vinegar in dry sugar for winter feeding? I've been asked this question and I don't see what the purpose would be?
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Fill up a large pot with one part water and two parts cane/beet sugar
Put the pot over a fire and heat the water until the sugar is completely dissolved
Do not allow the water to boil
Once the sugar is dissolved, separate the solution into gallons
Add half a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to each gallon of syrup to prevent it from freezing
Serve your bees sugar-water daily
https://beehivehero.com/bee-sugar-water-recipe/
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Mkay ... and what is the purpose of apple vinegar?
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As iddee said, lowers the freezing point, also lowers the ph to closer to what the bees make, also retards mold growth in the syrup.
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Has anyone ever heard of putting a splash of apple cider vinegar in dry sugar for winter feeding? I've been asked this question and I don't see what the purpose would be?
That's a good timely question, Jen.
Apple Cider Vinegar is slightly acidic and it aids in digestion.
Here is a recipe for sugar bricks by Clarence Collison that doesn't require cooking on the stove top:
25# granulated sugar
1 Qt. Apple Cider Vinegar
3 T. HoneyBee Healthy or Pro Health
3 T. Citric Acid
Combine with a mixer. Press into molds and dry in an oven on low temperature.
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As iddee said, lowers the freezing point, also lowers the ph to closer to what the bees make, also retards mold growth in the syrup.
Exactly this. It will lower the freezing point. For those like me who live in the frozen tundra it will still absolutely freeze. But this does help in fall feeding when it can drop below 32F at night, but still warm enough during the day for the bees to fly.
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