Using a different type of sugar to make feeding syrup

Beekeeping - Basics
1

Has anyone used raw sugar (brown crystals) instead of refined sugar (white crystals) to make their feeding syrup?

2

Please don’t do that. It is toxic for bees. :flushed:

3

I agree…unrefined is a definite no no.
Pure white cane or beet sugar if you need to feed or bought invert syrup.

4

Thanks so much. I won’t try that. BCRanch

5

I’ve also read where beet sugar is not good for the girls either.

6

That is debatable. The theory is that beet sugar can be from a GMO crop and beets may also be treated with neonicotinoids. I am distrustful of GMO crops, but beet sugar is just about pure sucrose, with no DNA in it, so the GMO factor shouldn’t be present in it. Having said that, I haven’t seen any laboratory analysis demonstrating (or proving absence of) residual neonics in the sucrose extracted from the crop. Given the choice, I would go for cane sugar, which is neither GMO nor neonic-treated, but it isn’t always easy to find, depending on what your local stores stock.

7

Thank you and RLKelly for your help. BCRanch

8

I’m using organic cane sugar from Costco. Seems to work great and reasonable price.