Thymol death syrup

[Anduril]

Interesting.

What problems does the mould cause?

While potassium sorbate is a preservative and inhibits mould, it is used in the wine industry as well as in processed food, I believe it is banned in Europe because it is toxic to DNA and the immune system, it also damages good bacteria in the gut. It only affects a certain percentage of the population. I don't know what effect it will have on the gut of a bee.

 

[BeeKeyPlayer]

While potassium sorbate is a preservative and inhibits mould, it is used in the wine industry as well as in processed food, I believe it is banned in Europe

a very brief look-up leads me to believe that it is not banned in the EU. https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/5625

 

[Anduril]

a very brief look-up leads me to believe that it is not banned in the EU. https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/5625

It's been re-evaluated.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

if you feed the bees properly, the syrup is never in the feeder long enough to get mouldy

 

[Ely]

You can remove the plastic cone that sits on top and fill the feed with straw.

 

[robmort]

I used potassium sorbate. You make a stock solution in the ratio of 40g to 1L water, then add 5ml stock per litre of syrup.

Acetic acid (vinegar) is much cheaper and easily available, 5 litres of 77% for 12.50 delivered. Just needs a dash of concentrate in 5 litres of syrup