funny smell of honey in brood frame. also aluminium stain!

[irishguy]

Just had look at these frames I had in the utility room stored away in a brood box. I've noticed they are giving off a different smell to what it was when I first put them away. It seems the uncapped honey has crystialzed but also very watery. I'm now wondering is this the honey fermentating and if it is, will these frames still be OK for the beescome spring.


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Was over at the hives earlier to have wee look see what's going on and noticed the aluminium tape a different colour to the rest. To me it looks as if its a burn mark but that's impossible. I'm thinking it might be the sun doing this but why the others not staining. Is it anything to worry about?



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[Ely]

If you have concern wash it out.

 

[YorkshireBees]

Just had look at these frames I had in the utility room stored away in a brood box. I've noticed they are giving off a different smell to what it was when I first put them away. It seems the uncapped honey has crystialzed but also very watery. I'm now wondering is this the honey fermentating and if it is, will these frames still be OK for the beescome spring.

Looks very much like fermenting Honey to me, you can even see air bubbles in a few cells.

I am assuming your utility room is warm?
All my frames are stored in an un-heated outside shed and I have never had problems with un-capped frames fermenting over winter.

As suggested it's probably best to rinse out the honey from the frames.

 

[oliver90owner]

Uncapped honey? Hygroscopic. Why do you think bees cap their honey?

 

[Margaret Elisabeth]

Looks like ivy that has not been capped I can see fermentation bubbles on one frame.
The tape looks as though damp has got in somehow, and it probably is not aluminum, not surprising really when you think about the number of joints on a flat roof. I think the Poly Hive manufacturers recommend certain paints for protecting the outside of the hive.

 

[BeeBeeKa]

A foil is liable to oxidation and acidification after a while, brother Particularly if you use aicids for treating bees. I would just paint it over, with a good durable elastic paint. It would be nice to get advice from Martley in this regard, as I am not an expert and use my paints at my own risk

 

[farbee]

A foil is liable to oxidation and acidification after a while, brother Particularly if you use aicids for treating bees. I would just paint it over, with a good durable elastic paint. It would be nice to get advice from Martley in this regard, as I am not an expert and use my paints at my own risk

I would like to hear what you mean by acidification.

 

[BeeBeeKa]

I would like to hear what you mean by acidification.

I am not sure what is a real meaning of acidification in English as it`s not my native language as you could notice ( It`s what my dictionary provided me with) In my understanding acidification means losing electrons in reaction with aicids i.e.
2Al+ 6HCHO2(formic acid)=2 Al(CHO2)3 + 3H2
Aluminium has lost 3 electrons in that example and turned into Al3+ (3 vacant valency).
? I.e.

http://www.ceunes.ufes.br/downloads/2/cleocir.dalmaschio-Brown respostas.pdf
I hope it helps

 

[Pete D]

Uncapped honey? Hygroscopic.

The honey absorbs moisture from its surroundings and can then ferment.
Plenty of moisture to absorb in household and the ambient temperature will help. Any stored pollen will also go mouldy.
If given back to the bees in spring the bees will sort it out, bit of extra work for them.
Good luck

 

[Arfermo]

The honey absorbs moisture from its surroundings and can then ferment.
Plenty of moisture to absorb in household and the ambient temperature will help. Any stored pollen will also go mouldy.
If given back to the bees in spring the bees will sort it out, bit of extra work for them.
Good luck

Bees get pissed too?

 

[irishguy]

Bees get pissed too?

Not a bother to the bees if they truely are Irish!

 

[pargyle]

Not a bother to the bees if they truely are Irish!

They will feel quite at home with some of the beekeepers over there !!

 

[user 6228]

Bees get pissed too?

yes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bees_and_toxic_chemicals

 

[Little John]

Worst-case problem (imo) is when you have a frame that has half capped-honey and half fermenting nectar. Although not a perfect solution (pun intentional) - what I've done in the past is to shake-out as much of the nectar as possible, then pour 2:1 syrup into the cells to dilute whatever remains - then give it to the girls straight away to sort out. You can still see a few girls on the landing-board unsteady on their feet and walking sideways - but it doesn't appear to cause any long-term problems, afaik.
LJ

 

[user 6228]

Worst-case problem (imo) is when you have a frame that has half capped-honey and half fermenting nectar. Although not a perfect solution (pun intentional) - what I've done in the past is to shake-out as much of the nectar as possible, then pour 2:1 syrup into the cells to dilute whatever remains - then give it to the girls straight away to sort out. You can still see a few girls on the landing-board unsteady on their feet and walking sideways - but it doesn't appear to cause any long-term problems, afaik.
LJ

drunks often die from hypothermia in cold weather if they get lost & cant find good shelter at night

 

[Little John]

But not everybody who drinks becomes an incapable 'drunk'.

 

[Torq]

Not a bother to the bees if they truely are Irish!

I hate that racial stereotype that we are all pi$$heads. I was a the bar on a campsite in France a few years and asked for a small glass of cider, the guy behind the bar asked "A small glass?" I said yes to which he replied "But you are irish!"

When I visit my office in the states and go out with my team they are surprised that I'm not drinking like it's going out of fashion and drink less than most of them.

But not everybody who drinks becomes an incapable 'drunk'.

Churchill won a war while drunk.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Churchill won a war while drunk.

no - he only got properly comatose on his days off

 

[BeeBeeKa]

I hate that racial stereotype that we are all pi$$heads.

Any stereotype is a subject to challenge IMHO

Churchill won a war while drunk.

Alone?