hives smell like grape soda

[rbunch]

There is obviously a lot of stuff blooming right now. My hives smell a bit like grape soda or grape kool-aid. I was curious if any of you experienced folks know what might be the source? I live in Colfax.

[DuaneB]

I've read that Cudzu nectar smells like Grape Kool-aid. Been trying to figure out when it blooms.

[rbunch]

It is still way too early for Kudzu blooms. That is a late summer bloom. The grape soda scent has subsided a bit since early April. I did some other reading that indicated it might have been Chinese Wisteria. There was plenty of that around in early April.

[DuaneB]

Late summer, good to know. I forgot about Wisteria. Good call.

[rbunch]

The Chinese Wisteria bloom this year is really putting out a lot of nectar. All my hives have a grape koolaid/soda scent and I’ve confirmed honey bees on this stuff in 3 different locations. Hives smell similar to patches of this flower. Sometimes it looks like only bumblebees are on it but honey bees actually are small enough to crawl into the flowers!