Is it too late in the season to medicate with Apilife var and/or Terramycin? I'm near Philadelphia and it is starting to get cold...I'm clueless (as usual)
Thanks,
Rachel
It's not too late (weather wise) to treat with oxalic acid. I've never used Apilife, but if it is temperature dependant, I would guess your too late. As far as Terramycin, I wouldn't use it regardless of the weather. It is nothing more than an antibiotic that masks foulbrood at best. Antibiotics are never a good thing to use as a preventative measure. Just look at what it has done to our medical system.
Quote from: Rachel on November 06, 2008, 09:04:13 AM
Is it too late in the season to medicate with Apilife var and/or Terramycin? I'm near Philadelphia and it is starting to get cold...I'm clueless (as usual)
Thanks,
Rachel
It depends..... :-D
To kill a bunch of mites, then it's always a good time, and never too late.
To treat so you have uneffected bees from mites going into winter, then yes, it's too late.
Dewey Caron, MAAREC, and a host of other more well versed people than me, (Or is that "I") suggest that treating by September first, for places north of the mason line, is best. The reason is that the best benefit is to treat bees prior to the fall flow, so healthy bees can be raised after the mites are treated.
Is it ever a bad time to lessen the mite load, for those who treat? Probably never a "bad time". It's just good to understand that your bees may already be damaged going into winter if you have a mite issue.
If mites are not an issue, than I would suggest not treating. It's not going to accomplish alot, and treating should be used for when needed, and when you can make the effort worth it.
As a side note...I think that waiting till the beginning of September (as others suggest) may already be too late for some colonies. I think by the middle of August in the north is best, so treatments are done, BEFORE the queen starts laying a fall brood cycle.
Although I do not treat myself, I think those that do treat, should only treat when circumstances dictate.
Clueless? No. Your better than most. You know where to come and ask questions..... :-D
Thanks. I just feel like I have no idea sometimes.... I don't even know if I have a bad enough problem that I should treat them....ugh.
Rachel
Rachel, look into getting a sticky board from one of the suppliers. That will identify mite load.
Treating too late can cause a huge drop in brood numbers as the capped brood will be removed by nurse bees. If you have mites.
I doubt brood is a concern at this time.
Maybe you can do some sugar dusting as weather permits.