Sugar solution seperating - problem?

[Andrew2000]

Im currently feeding my bees 2:1 sugar solution which they are getting through at quite a rate. I checked them yesterday but the sugar solution in the feeder really didn't look right.

I last filled it 4-5 days ago and when checked yesterday it was still 3/4 full. The sugar solution has hardened at the bottom into a solid lump of undissolved sugar and the rest has gone sort of cloudy. I suspect it was dissolved properly when I made it..

Just wondered if the bees will not like this sugar solution or whether they have just had enough?

Also, does anyone else have trouble with solidifying sugar in the feeder??

 

[drex]

2:1 is nearly a saturated sugar solution, meaning it will not dissolve anymore sugar. If made up with hot water sugar can precipitate out as it cools. The measures are 1 kg to 625 ml of water. If made up with only 500 ml, all the sugar will not dissolve. Add some warm water and stir and the solid sugar will dissolve. Exact dilution is not that important to the bees.
If using a gauze type feeder the solid sugar blocks the gauze and the bees cannot feed.

 

[For want of a better word]

2:1 is nearly a saturated sugar solution, meaning it will not dissolve anymore sugar. If made up with hot water sugar can precipitate out as it cools. The measures are 1 kg to 625 ml of water. If made up with only 500 ml, all the sugar will not dissolve. Add some warm water and stir and the solid sugar will dissolve. Exact dilution is not that important to the bees.
If using a gauze type feeder the solid sugar blocks the gauze and the bees cannot feed.

*1 kg to 625 ml of water... that would be 1:1.. thin syrup?

No criticism intended... bees will happily take down 1:1 whilst the weather is warm.

2:1 is 2kg of sugar to one liter ( 1 kg) water... can be difficult to get into solution if cold water is used.

Useful tip is to put sugar in bags into low oven ( AGA warming oven is ideal) before adding to warm water.

Bees have been taking down thymolated* 1:1 I had left over from emergency feed for the NZ Italians needed earlier in the season, when I grabbed the supers, before they could get to it!!
With the price of sugar today I would not want to waste it!!

Chons da

 

[Erichalfbee]

Hooray! A syrup thread at last!

Imperial, stick to imperial.
1:1 is one pint water and one pound sugar
2:1 is one pint water and two pounds sugar

Metric does not give you the same concentration. It is nigh on impossible to keep two kg of sugar dissolved in one litre of water especially overnight when it gets cold and double especially if you are feeding with a 2 litre rapid feeder over a crownboard

 

[Angularity]

A pint of water weighs a pound and a quarter. So not really a 1:1.

Stick with American measurements. Or just keep dissolving and watch it while it cools.

 

[Curly green fingers]

A pint of water weighs a pound and a quarter. So not really a 1:1.

Stick with American measurements. Or just keep dissolving and watch it while it cools.

Wasn't this talked about just recently on another thread.
Try the search button top left corner.
I've had this problem so I've added a little more water to the 2:1 syrup to make sure it's disolved and when cool it should be clear .

 

[madasafish]

I use 1 kg to 0.65 liters..(boiled in kettle).
Add sugar to a container. add boiled water. Shake /stir

Never any problems dissolving/staying dissolved. KISS.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

one pint water to two pound sugar - that's simple enough isn't it? doesn't matter how much the water weighs
1 litre water to 2Kg of sugar is asking for problems, but if you insist on metric - 2Kg sugar to 1.25 litres water (which probably doesn't weigh a pound either)

 

[Swarm]

Just to be contrary, whenever I've made sugar syrup I've used volume rather than weight.
1-1 = one jug water, same jug sugar.
2-1 = one jug water, two jugs sugar.

 

[Murox]

I am all for K.I.S.S.
Arguing about the amount of water needed doesn’t really matter — you will get the same thing in the end. The trick is to use as much water as necessary, but as little as possible. As was mentioned 2:1 is almost a saturated solution. I use volumetric measures and I use freshly boiled water and stir a lot. If its slow to dissolve I will even put it on the stove and heat it some more stirring all the time . Then I let cool, bottle it in empty cola bottles; then the next day I check it and use it.

 

[Beefriendly]

Bejasus this "obsession" with an EXACT 2:1....
OP has shown what happens when you obsess and make it exactly 2:1.
Go for 1.75:1 or 1.8:1 or roughly around that area. It dissolves easier, it doesn't crystallize back out and the bees take it with gay abandon.
Who are your trying to impress with an exact 2:1?
Make life easier for yourselves, go commando and cheat on the ratios a bit

Or just buy invert!

 

[Murox]

Bejasus this "obsession" with an EXACT 2:1....
OP has shown what happens when you obsess and make it exactly 2:1.
Go for 1.75:1 or 1.8:1 or roughly around that area. It dissolves easier, it doesn't crystallize back out and the bees take it with gay abandon.
Who are your trying to impress with an exact 2:1?
Make life easier for yourselves, go commando and cheat on the ratios a bit

Or just buy invert!

 

[Beefriendly]

An overindulgence in Springbank?...but not sure it you are agreeing with me or takign the micturation....don't care either way...

 

[simonforeman]

So how do we make 2:1 syrup???..... Only kidding

Question tho, not opened hives for 2 weeks and now not planning to. But, they are still taking down 2:1 syrup loads of pollen going in and ivy out so think nectar also. So when do you stop feeding? Will they just fill the brood nest so no laying space or is this ok at this time of year?

Was thinking of stopping feeding now and putting a big slab of fondant (6kg ish) over the crown board hole insulation then roof. This ok?

 

[Swarm]

It all depends on your bees. Some have been feeding for weeks, the bees have taken gallons and still need more, I haven't started feeding and they all still have weight. Ivy hasn't really started here so I'll assess their weight after that, probably end of October.

 

[Murox]

An overindulgence in Springbank?...but not sure it you are agreeing with me or takign the micturation....don't care either way...

In full agreement, but why would you care either way?

 

[Beefriendly]

After a few drams of "Annnies" of Longrow why would anyone

 

[Murox]

After a few drams of "Annnies" of Longrow why would anyone

"Sheep-dip" mate. But I go large on the three cask strengths on offer when I can.
Trouble is it doesn't help the bees, they only drink sugar water, floral or manmade they don't seem to care either.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Bejasus this "obsession" with an EXACT 2:1....
OP has shown what happens when you obsess and make it exactly 2:1.

Or just buy invert![/QUOTE]

Yup - life's to short to spend all your evenings stirring sugar water.

 

[SS_Smith]

Im using 2kg sugar to 1L water cold.

Sometimes I add a little more water.

Make it in a petrol can £4 from Wilko. Never has anything in it before.

Give it a good shake and leave it overnight - find that leaving overnight helps went it comes to dissolving.

Give it a shake an hour after mixing and a shake in the morning.

Done - roughly is good enough. No boiling or stirring constantly - life is too short. The bees take it down fine.