Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

MEMBER BULLETIN BOARD => GREETINGS/TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF => Topic started by: Anonymous on April 25, 2006, 11:40:10 pm

Title: Cactus syrup instead of sugar
Post by: Anonymous on April 25, 2006, 11:40:10 pm

I`m from central NJ, Beginner Beekeeper, I got two Nucs put them in my two hives on Sunday April 22. Will have another Nuc at the end of May. I don`t like the idea of feeding them white sugar Its unhealthy for humans and un-natural for Bees to consume. So I fed them raw Agave cactus syrup( high in Fructose) mixed with water and a few drops of fresh lemon juice and lemon oil (food grade). They are sucking it up. Any comments?

Title: Cactus syrup instead of sugar
Post by: manowar422 on April 26, 2006, 12:12:57 am

Quote

I don`t like the idea of feeding them white sugar Its unhealthy for humans and un-natural for Bees to consume. So I fed them raw Agave cactus syrup( high in Fructose) mixed with water and a few drops of fresh lemon juice and lemon oil (food grade). They are sucking it up. Any comments?

I know people who consume four or five cans of Coke per day.
In the 12oz. size, that adds up to over 100 grams of sugar in
the form of HFCS. This is bad, without question!
But what would one suffer when ingesting enough Agave juice
to total 100 grams of sugar per day?
I would think it would be just as bad for you in the long run.

Moderation in all things :wink:

Title: Cactus syrup instead of sugar
Post by: Michael Bush on April 26, 2006, 08:08:21 am

There have been many studies done on feed for bees.  While I consider nectar to be the ideal food for bees, other plant juices are usually not good for them.  There are too many solids for their simplistic digestive system.  Pure sugar is preferable to any kind of fruit juice.  ESPECIALLY for winter stores where they won't be able to defacate for months.