If you were the Fumigillin using type(for your bees :)) would you use an unopened bottle of it if the expiration date said Ma 07. I will assume that is March or May of 07.
Never mind. That's over one year too old. I forgot it was 08 already. :roll:
Even if it was still 07, I wouldn't use it if it expired in May. It probably wouldn't hurt the bees but it most likely will not be effective at treating the disease. It's just like prescription or over the counter meds for people. If it's expired, I wont take it.
Sean Kelly
QuoteIt probably wouldn't hurt the bees but it most likely will not be effective at treating the disease.
I totally agree for this reason alone. The treatment wouldn't be as effective and you would be contributing to the mites being resistant to the fumagillin with little reward (of course you are contributing to the resistance to the chemical regardless when using the stuff :-D ).
Fumigillan has been in use for decades with no sign of Nosema building resistance, so I wouldn't sweat that. IF I were willing to use fumigillan, which I'm not, I'd use it. But, of course, if it expired in 2009 or 2010 I still wouldn't use it.
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesterms.htm#fumidil
http://www.bushfarms.com/beespests.htm#nosema