Steve New****t wrote:
> On Mon, 23 Jun 2008 22:26:53 -0700 (PDT), Rick <R.L.Bledsoe@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> wrote:
>
>> Due to work, school, etc. I was unable to extract two supers of honey
>> last fall. I just checked on them and the honey looks partly
>> crystalized, and it looks like some has seeped out. The honey didn't
>> have the best taste, though I don't think it was actually bad--just
>> the flower source used by the bees to make it.
>> What should I do with these two supers? I have one hive, and it is
>> doing well. If I sat them on top of the hive would they "recycle" it,
>> or just treat it like filled supers and want more space above? I'm
>> still pretty inexperienced, so any help would be appreciated.
>>
>> Rick
>> in the Ozarks
> They would recycle but I would check for wax moth first.
>
> We did the same last year and the seepage was due to wax moth damage.
> Ruined the honey and too many moths to risk putting back on the hive.
>
I have to say I have never had waxmoth damage in my supers, only brood
comb in abandoned brood chambers. I wouldn't be worried about putting
the supers on the hive, especially if it contains a strong colony - they
will get busy cleaning up the mess and making use of the honey.
If it had an odd smell & flavor and was collected in the fall it may be
goldenrod. I actually have people ask for it since they associate
goldenrod with hay fever and goldenrod honey with a treatment for hay
fever. I don't argue with them but from what I've read goldenrod pollen
is too heavy & sticky to become much of an airborne irritant. Anyway, if
it is goldenrod it is a great food for the bees - mine winter over very
well on it.
You should have a flow by now so feeding them last year's honey might
conflict with collecting more honey now - you probably don't want that
honey showing up in this year's crop.
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