Should bees eat crystallised honey

[pargyle]

That’s so funny but you know it’s going to get reported. Just a warning. In fact I’ll probably get inundated

I really don't know how they used to get away with it .... would never do these days - it was very liberating and anarchic at the time !

 

[Earthboy]

A friend has bought a hive, found the supers are full of crystallised honey. From searching on this and other sites, I gather it's fine for us to eat, if you can get it out!, but they're wondering about whether it is safe to leave some for the bees, can anyone advise please?

I saw the tip on this forum about uncapping and spraying with water but I recall reading solidified honey can ferment because the liquid between crystals is >20% water, this gives bees indigestion / dysentry. But, bees must have been dealing with solidified hone forever, so what's the truth? Trouble with the internet is, it never forgets an untruth.

They consume raw sugar poured on top of their winter cluster above a sheet of newspaper, an emergency feeding method called Mountain Camp Method across the pond. As bees metabolic process generates moisture, the sugar above will get softened for their consumption, an excellent and lazy way not to fuss over making a fondant.

 

[Erichalfbee]

I really don't know how they used to get away with it .... would never do these days - it was very liberating and anarchic at the time !

My parents would tut and walk out of the room. Great for us though. The comparatively sane Life of Brian is my all time favourite film.
But how times change. I recoil with horror at how I managed to sit through “A Clockwork Orange”

 

[pargyle]

I went to see Clockwork Orange to spite my parents ... as I did a variety of other edgy humourous programmes on the TV !

 

[fizzle]

Do you put the extracted super with crystalised honey above or below the existing super that is half full?

 

[oliver90owner]

Do you put the extracted super with crystalised honey above or below the existing super that is half full?

Depends. If you want potentially more honey added to already crystallised honey, go ahead.

Sensible way, after thinking about the possible outcomes, might be to put the shallow under the brood box for a few days to give them time to move it up. Then put the box wherever you fancy.

An alternative would be to put it above the crown board, with access for the bees - as long as clean up the frames and they don’t just add more. Part boxes, with frames well separated, is likely better than a full box of frames…