I have read in various places that I should treat my bees with Fumagilin in the late fall when I have my winter bees. I live in middle Georgia, the daytime temps are still in the upper 80s and the bees are still flying. How will I know when I have my winter bees and not bees that will die and be replaced before they winter? When is the right time to treat with Fumagilin here in middle Georgia? Thanks for your help and advice!
Welcome Paul; 10framer is over your way, he'll probably chime in later on. I'm only about 15 months into this adventure but I'm taking the approach not to go the "preventive" treatment way. As with all meds there are side effects. Most livestock you do the preventive treatment. Bees seem to be on a different plain.
Quote from: paulsnapp on September 10, 2014, 06:13:08 AM
I have read in various places that I should treat my bees with Fumagilin in the late fall when I have my winter bees. I live in middle Georgia, the daytime temps are still in the upper 80s and the bees are still flying. How will I know when I have my winter bees and not bees that will die and be replaced before they winter? When is the right time to treat with Fumagilin here in middle Georgia? Thanks for your help and advice!
Paul,
You are not much farther north than I am. We do not need Fumagilin down here. Long cold winters is where it is needed. Ask your bee inspector.
Jim
I am right near the Canadian line in the coldest part of the continent and I do not and never have used fumidil/fumigillin. Some research says it actually harms the bees ability to fight off nosema pathenogens. I have never had a nosema loss that I know of but I have had hives where the bees lost it after being confined for four months.
Quote from: Vance G on September 10, 2014, 03:02:22 PM
I am right near the Canadian line in the coldest part of the continent and I do not and never have used fumidil/fumigillin. Some research says it actually harms the bees ability to fight off nosema pathogens. I have never had a nosema loss that I know of but I have had hives where the bees lost it after being confined for four months.
Vance,
Good to know that you are not having this problem that far north.
Are your boxes ever all yellow with bee poop all over the front of the hives in the spring? This is the indicator of nozema.
I think genetics has probably corrected this problem.
Jim