Feeding fermenting honey?

shop deals on amazon
Advertise with us
BS Honey Bees
Beekeeping & Apiculture Forum

Help Support Beekeeping & Apiculture Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
The Poot in Somerset

The Poot in Somerset

Field Bee
Joined
Nov 24, 2015
Messages
978
Reaction score
139
Location
Dorset
Hive Type
National
Number of Hives
4
Have you / would you feed slightly fermenting honey back to your bees?
If not, why not?
I've read conflicting articles about this. I'd welcome the benefit of your experience please.
 
Personally I wouldn’t. As the honey has fermented there will be alcohol, sounds stupid but the alcohol content COULD be enough to kill your bees. Remember, alcohol IS a poison and humans are significantly bigger than bees. August September time is why wasps go a bit crazy. Drink the juice of over ripe fruit, mixed with naturally occurring yeast in the air, the juice is slightly alcoholic, not enough for a human to be effected but enough for an insect. One reason why there will never be a zero drink drive limit.
 
Why do you think it is fermenting? Just the smell? I have some really peculiar smelling honey this year! I am pretty sure it isn't fermenting but it smells like it is!
E
 
Could you not heat the honey to purge off any alcohol present? Suppose it depends how much honey we're talking about?
 
Bee House, Wooden Beehive 2 Pcs Hanging Bee Hotel Shelter for Outdoor Garden Native Pollinator Bees Garden Decoration
£12.31
Bee House, Wooden Beehive 2 Pcs Hanging Bee Hotel Shelter for Outdoor Garden Native Pollinator Bees Garden Decoration Blurte
Beehive for Garden, Mason Bee House, Beehive for Pollinating Bees Outdoors, Beehive Starter Kit for Outdoor
£11.99
Beehive for Garden, Mason Bee House, Beehive for Pollinating Bees Outdoors, Beehive Starter Kit for Outdoor queen'style
DIY Solitary Bee Hotel Kit – Make your own home for wild bees. Bee-friendly gift for nature lover. 190 x 215 x 70mm
£21.99
DIY Solitary Bee Hotel Kit – Make your own home for wild bees. Bee-friendly gift for nature lover. 190 x 215 x 70mm Outside In - Garden, Home & Leisure
Fdit 5 PCS Durable Beehive Door Entrance Gate Anti-escape Door Beekeeper Tool Beekeeping Equipment Beehive tool
£9.41
Fdit 5 PCS Durable Beehive Door Entrance Gate Anti-escape Door Beekeeper Tool Beekeeping Equipment Beehive tool Aqur2020
JNJOOD Stainless Steel Honey Strainer Double Sieve Honey Fragment Strainer Honey Extraction Equipment for 5 Gallon Bucket Honey
£22.06
JNJOOD Stainless Steel Honey Strainer Double Sieve Honey Fragment Strainer Honey Extraction Equipment for 5 Gallon Bucket Honey Yuhua536
Beekeeping Evolution Apiarist Beekeeper T-Shirt
£17.49
Beekeeping Evolution Apiarist Beekeeper T-Shirt Amazon.co.uk
Beekeeper Bee Whisperer Bee Gift Honey Pollen Beekeeping T-Shirt
£12.99
Beekeeper Bee Whisperer Bee Gift Honey Pollen Beekeeping T-Shirt Amazon.co.uk
OxoxO Carburetor C1U-K54A Air Filter Fuel Spark Plug kit for 2-Cycle Mantis 7222 7222E 7222M 7225 7230 7234 7240 7920 7924 Tiller/Cultivator
£15.99
OxoxO Carburetor C1U-K54A Air Filter Fuel Spark Plug kit for 2-Cycle Mantis 7222 7222E 7222M 7225 7230 7234 7240 7920 7924 Tiller/Cultivator Beehive Filter
Bee Keeping Uncapping Fork with 19 Long Tines, Stainless Steel Honey Comb Uncapping Fork Bee Keeping Tool Supplies
£9.09
Bee Keeping Uncapping Fork with 19 Long Tines, Stainless Steel Honey Comb Uncapping Fork Bee Keeping Tool Supplies Julianne-EU
Pyatofy Stainless Steel Honey Strainer Double Sieve Honey Fragment Strainer Honey Extraction Equipment for 5 Gallon Bucket Honey
£20.67 (£22.97 / kg)
Pyatofy Stainless Steel Honey Strainer Double Sieve Honey Fragment Strainer Honey Extraction Equipment for 5 Gallon Bucket Honey weituochendianzi
The BeeFather T-Shirt Funny BeeKeeping Dad Gift Shirt T-Shirt
£17.49
The BeeFather T-Shirt Funny BeeKeeping Dad Gift Shirt T-Shirt Amazon.co.uk
Omabeta 10Pcs Beekeeping Tool Queen Bee Cages Transporting Cage Beekeeping Equipment Queen Catcher Cage Beekeeper Accessory For Queen Rearing
£7.19
Omabeta 10Pcs Beekeeping Tool Queen Bee Cages Transporting Cage Beekeeping Equipment Queen Catcher Cage Beekeeper Accessory For Queen Rearing Senheeu
Caution Bees Lover Running Beekeeping Beekeeper Costume T-Shirt
£12.08
Caution Bees Lover Running Beekeeping Beekeeper Costume T-Shirt Amazon.co.uk
Qerwsdty Beekeeping Honey Strainer Filter Screen Purifier Apiary Equipment Tool 2Piece Nylon
£4.87 (£62.44 / kg)
Qerwsdty Beekeeping Honey Strainer Filter Screen Purifier Apiary Equipment Tool 2Piece Nylon taiyuanyuanzhixuandianzi
Corghd Stainless Steel Honey Strainer Double Sieve Honey Fragment Strainer Honey Extraction Equipment for 5 Gallon Bucket Honey
£19.07 (£21.19 / kg)
Corghd Stainless Steel Honey Strainer Double Sieve Honey Fragment Strainer Honey Extraction Equipment for 5 Gallon Bucket Honey Muerhaodianzishangwu
Jasaly Stainless Steel Honey Strainer Double Sieve Honey Fragment Strainer Honey Extraction Equipment for 5 Gallon Bucket Honey
£21.52 (£23.91 / kg)
Jasaly Stainless Steel Honey Strainer Double Sieve Honey Fragment Strainer Honey Extraction Equipment for 5 Gallon Bucket Honey Lanpanxiang
Beehive Alchemy: Projects and recipes using honey, beeswax, propolis, and pollen to make soap, candles, creams, salves, and more
-16%
£14.25 £16.99
Beehive Alchemy: Projects and recipes using honey, beeswax, propolis, and pollen to make soap, candles, creams, salves, and more Amazon.co.uk
Beekeeping for Gardeners: The complete step-by-step guide to keeping bees in your garden – SHORTLISTED FOR THE GARDEN MEDIA GUILD AWARD 2024
-12%
£17.59 £20.00
Beekeeping for Gardeners: The complete step-by-step guide to keeping bees in your garden – SHORTLISTED FOR THE GARDEN MEDIA GUILD AWARD 2024 Amazon.co.uk
Beekeeping for Beginners: A Complete Guide to Building Your Own Beehive, Colony Management, Honey Harvesting, and Turning Your Passion into Profit | + BONUS: Hive Inspection Checklist
£14.99
Beekeeping for Beginners: A Complete Guide to Building Your Own Beehive, Colony Management, Honey Harvesting, and Turning Your Passion into Profit | + BONUS: Hive Inspection Checklist Amazon.co.uk
WILDLIFE FRIEND | Bee hotel Insect hotel with wooden roof - untreated, beehive made of solid wood for bees, ladybirds & lacewings, insect house & nesting aid to hang up
£27.99 (£27.99 / count)
WILDLIFE FRIEND | Bee hotel Insect hotel with wooden roof - untreated, beehive made of solid wood for bees, ladybirds & lacewings, insect house & nesting aid to hang up Görges Markenwelt
Beekeeper Warning May Start Talking About Beekeeping T-Shirt
£15.99
Beekeeper Warning May Start Talking About Beekeeping T-Shirt Amazon.co.uk
The Bee Manual: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Keeping Bees (New Ed)
-40%
£14.98 £25.00
The Bee Manual: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Keeping Bees (New Ed) ⭐ Lowplex Books® ⭐
Bee Wax-moth Larva Killer Treatment Tools Wood Strips Control Beekeeping for Beekeeper Scene
£6.40
Bee Wax-moth Larva Killer Treatment Tools Wood Strips Control Beekeeping for Beekeeper Scene zilonou
TOPINCN Bee House Beehive Wooden Insect Apiary Wood Insect Room Hotel Shelter Garden Decoration Nest Box
-8%
£10.69 £11.64
TOPINCN Bee House Beehive Wooden Insect Apiary Wood Insect Room Hotel Shelter Garden Decoration Nest Box sanurety
Collins Beekeeper’s Bible: Bees, honey, recipes and other home uses
-20%
£27.93 £35.00
Collins Beekeeper’s Bible: Bees, honey, recipes and other home uses Amazon.co.uk
5pcs Bee Hive Entrance Entrance Gate Anti-Scape Door Beekeeping Tool Equipment
£13.16 (£2.63 / count)
5pcs Bee Hive Entrance Entrance Gate Anti-Scape Door Beekeeping Tool Equipment Herexty
Funny Beekeeping Lover If I run You Run Beekeeper T-Shirt
£17.49
Funny Beekeeping Lover If I run You Run Beekeeper T-Shirt Amazon.co.uk
Faeymth Bee Honey Faucet Gate Valve, Extractor Bottling, Honey Extraction Machine, Beehive Equipment Beekeeping Tools
£10.46 (£31.51 / kg)
Faeymth Bee Honey Faucet Gate Valve, Extractor Bottling, Honey Extraction Machine, Beehive Equipment Beekeeping Tools LiuHabQing
18 Needles Honey Uncapping Fork, Stainless Steel Sturdy Honey Scraper with Silicone Handle Convenient And Practical Beekeeping Tools for Beekeepers
£8.69
18 Needles Honey Uncapping Fork, Stainless Steel Sturdy Honey Scraper with Silicone Handle Convenient And Practical Beekeeping Tools for Beekeepers Greenen
Histos Stainless Steel Honey Strainer Double Sieve Honey Fragment Strainer Honey Extraction Equipment for 5 Gallon Bucket Honey
£21.52 (£23.91 / kg)
Histos Stainless Steel Honey Strainer Double Sieve Honey Fragment Strainer Honey Extraction Equipment for 5 Gallon Bucket Honey Manshangpeidianzi
Yominerr Stainless Steel Honey Strainer Double Sieve Honey Fragment Strainer Honey Extraction Equipment for 5 Gallon Bucket Honey
£19.89 (£22.10 / kg)
Yominerr Stainless Steel Honey Strainer Double Sieve Honey Fragment Strainer Honey Extraction Equipment for 5 Gallon Bucket Honey GuaiQian654
YARNOW 4 Pcs Bee Hive Mouses Ac Vent Hive Reducer Bee Keeper Supply Bee Entrance Protector Bee Entrance Reducer Bee Escape Beekeeping Supplies Frames Bee Keeping Tool Beetle Beehive
£8.89
YARNOW 4 Pcs Bee Hive Mouses Ac Vent Hive Reducer Bee Keeper Supply Bee Entrance Protector Bee Entrance Reducer Bee Escape Beekeeping Supplies Frames Bee Keeping Tool Beetle Beehive Karrymao
Mosquito net hat bug insect hats with netting Beekeeper beekeeping bee veil hat safari hiking Gardening mesh cap hood
£9.99
Mosquito net hat bug insect hats with netting Beekeeper beekeeping bee veil hat safari hiking Gardening mesh cap hood Logic coffee UK
The Beekeeping Year
-7%
£9.25 £9.95
The Beekeeping Year Amazon.co.uk
Heath Outdoors 8-Frame Beehive Starter Kit
£263.95
Heath Outdoors 8-Frame Beehive Starter Kit Amazon US
Bee Kind Beekeeping Quote Be Kind Youth Honey Bee Lover T-Shirt
£17.49
Bee Kind Beekeeping Quote Be Kind Youth Honey Bee Lover T-Shirt Amazon.co.uk
Sosoport 1pc Beekeeping Supplies Kit Mini Barometer Beehive Bees Beekeeping Tools Decor Bees Kit Bees Mason Bees Bee Breeding Boxes Wooden
£16.49 (£16.49 / count)
Sosoport 1pc Beekeeping Supplies Kit Mini Barometer Beehive Bees Beekeeping Tools Decor Bees Kit Bees Mason Bees Bee Breeding Boxes Wooden Joy&Life CC
Jaxenor Bee Wax Moth Larva Killer Treatment Tools - Wood Strips Beekeeping Pest Control for Beekeeper
£7.59
Jaxenor Bee Wax Moth Larva Killer Treatment Tools - Wood Strips Beekeeping Pest Control for Beekeeper H&H Life
Beekeeping For Dummies (UK Edition)
-26%
£14.09 £18.99
Beekeeping For Dummies (UK Edition) Amazon.co.uk
Aramox Stainless Steel Beekeeping Uncapping Fork Tool Honey Equipment for Efficient Honey Extraction 9.1x3.0x1.4in
£9.25
Aramox Stainless Steel Beekeeping Uncapping Fork Tool Honey Equipment for Efficient Honey Extraction 9.1x3.0x1.4in Codalo
Beekeeping Bible: the Complete Crash Course on Raising Your Own First Backyard Bee Colonies to Achieve Self-sufficient Honey Harvest in Safe Hives (Off-Grid Survival Urban Homesteading)
£8.89
Beekeeping Bible: the Complete Crash Course on Raising Your Own First Backyard Bee Colonies to Achieve Self-sufficient Honey Harvest in Safe Hives (Off-Grid Survival Urban Homesteading) Amazon.co.uk
Beekeeping Equipment Beekeeper Gloves Beekeeping Hand Gloves Beekeeping Sheepskin Gloves Beekeeping Accessory Arm Sleeves Bee Clothing Beekeeping Gear Bee Tool Anti-bee Accessories
£10.19
Beekeeping Equipment Beekeeper Gloves Beekeeping Hand Gloves Beekeeping Sheepskin Gloves Beekeeping Accessory Arm Sleeves Bee Clothing Beekeeping Gear Bee Tool Anti-bee Accessories Denneyas
Bee Lover Beekeeping cute Honey Bee for men women Beekeeper Pullover Hoodie
£27.99
Bee Lover Beekeeping cute Honey Bee for men women Beekeeper Pullover Hoodie Amazon.co.uk
The BBKA Guide to Beekeeping, Second Edition
-23%
£15.35 £20.00
The BBKA Guide to Beekeeping, Second Edition Amazon.co.uk
Fallen Fruits WA44 Beehive Bee House, Green, 6"H
-15%
£17.00 £19.99
Fallen Fruits WA44 Beehive Bee House, Green, 6"H Acres Aquatics
Yuecoom 3.8x3.2in Royal Jelly Scraper, 8 Heads Detachable Bee Honey Scraping Tool Royal Jelly Extractor Beekeeping Scraper Tool Beekeeping Equipment
£7.59
Yuecoom 3.8x3.2in Royal Jelly Scraper, 8 Heads Detachable Bee Honey Scraping Tool Royal Jelly Extractor Beekeeping Scraper Tool Beekeeping Equipment Jagche
Cut Comb Honey Containers Honey Cut with 10Pcs Plastic Box Stainless Steel Cut Comb Honey Containers Beautiful and Practical Beekeeping Tools for Cutting Nesting Honey, Putting Comb Honey
£15.98
Cut Comb Honey Containers Honey Cut with 10Pcs Plastic Box Stainless Steel Cut Comb Honey Containers Beautiful and Practical Beekeeping Tools for Cutting Nesting Honey, Putting Comb Honey JianShiXianQingGeFanShangMaoYouXianGongSi
Fcuajdkq Stainless Steel Honey Strainer Double Sieve Honey Fragment Strainer Honey Extraction Equipment for 5 Gallon Bucket Honey
£20.25 (£22.50 / kg)
Fcuajdkq Stainless Steel Honey Strainer Double Sieve Honey Fragment Strainer Honey Extraction Equipment for 5 Gallon Bucket Honey Zhengqianwu
Fallen Fruits NKBH Beehive Bird House
£6.31
Fallen Fruits NKBH Beehive Bird House Amazon.co.uk
The Bee Book: The Wonder of Bees – How to Protect them – Beekeeping Know-how
-24%
£15.29 £19.99
The Bee Book: The Wonder of Bees – How to Protect them – Beekeeping Know-how Amazon.co.uk
enrico said:
Why do you think it is fermenting? Just the smell? I have some really peculiar smelling honey this year! I am pretty sure it isn't fermenting but it smells like it is!
E
Click to expand...

It's jarred honey with a slight foam on top - one jar gave a pressure release type noise as it opened. The taste is off too.
I've read that bees can reuse it and deal with the fermentation issue, but have also read they can't.
I was hoping there were folk on here who had experience of feeding it back to bees, who could share what occurred - good or bad.
 
The Poot in Somerset said:
It's jarred honey with a slight foam on top - one jar gave a pressure release type noise as it opened. The taste is off too.
I've read that bees can reuse it and deal with the fermentation issue, but have also read they can't.
I was hoping there were folk on here who had experience of feeding it back to bees, who could share what occurred - good or bad.
Click to expand...

How much have you got?
I store my supers wet and some years the shed smells like a brewery.
The bees can obviously deal with a bit.
 
The answer is weather dependant. If bees are flying well then there's no real issue with fermenting honey.
The problem comes if they're confined as it can cause dysentery
 
SDM said:
The answer is weather dependant. If bees are flying well then there's no real issue with fermenting honey.
The problem comes if they're confined as it can cause dysentery
Click to expand...

Why / how does flying prevent dysentery?
 
Perhaps it doesn't prevent it - they can just get out and spread it around...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

H
Feeding back old honey
Replies
3
Views
883
Parsonage Bees
Parsonage Bees
P
Part capped super contaminated with sugar syrup
Replies
3
Views
726
Paul_Ward1
P
Jon.21
What to do with old brood frames full of honey
2
Replies
22
Views
2K
Hedgerow Honey
H
B
Feeding back their own honey
2
Replies
26
Views
1K
warsaw_hive
W
Hull Bees
Open feeding honey to bees!?
Replies
18
Views
470
pargyle
pargyle

Latest posts

Back
Top