1. Some have tried, and there is 'honey flavored syrup' on the market which is basically flavored HFCS. It doesn't really taste at all like honey in my opinion. I wouldn't feed it to bees though because they likely won't handle the additives well.
2. HFCS-55 may be cheaper than sugar depending on the market price, amount you want etc. For several years I could pick up 5lb bags of sugar for $99 retail (cheaper than I could buy in bulk), but the price and my usage has gone up so now I get HFCS-55 in 50 gallon barrels. (And it doesn't need all the mixing). Of course it can be colored and flavored, but it won't fool anyone. I simply feed early in spring well before the honey flow so that any sugar fed will be used up before they put away honey. And I feed in fall after harvest when necessary. Thus no sugar/HFCS is likely to get in the honey. You shouldn't be feeding during or shortly before the honey flow anyways unless the hives is weak and you don't plan on harvesting honey from it. Also, honey naturally contains some sucrose. The exact amount depends on the floral source, etc. Normal levels are up to 5%. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Composition of honey
