Hi... I am a struggling single hive beekeeper in northern Mass. I have lost two hives before... once to bears, and a second time to either disease or mites (or both). I've had good luck this summer, despite the severe drought we're experiencing, and am hoping for a good winter-over. I do have a question right up front. I just mixed some Fumagilin-B with some syrup as I read I should as a preventative. Unfortunately the info I received did NOT mention premixing the meds in water FIRST, and THEN mixing with the syrup. Will this mixture as I have made it WITHOUT first mixing in water injure my bees? Or, shall I treat them again mixing properly the 2nd time (I don't wish to OVER medicate them!). Thanks for your help!
BoB
Welcome to Beemaster.
I cannot help you with your question because I never use Fumagilin or any other chemicals.
If you are not following the instructions, you are actually breaking the law.
Jim
Welcome to the forum. Lots of friendly and knowledgeable folks here and I'm sure someone will be able to answer your question soon.
If you put your location in your profile, too, then whenever you ask a question, we'll be able to see about where you are. It'll help you get answers better suited to your location.
Welcome to the forum. :happy:
Unfortunatly, I don't treat either so I can't answer your question.
Well, I don't treat for anything either, and have never used fumidil (Fumigillian etc.) but anything that you want dissolved in syrup has to be dissolved in water first as it won't dissolve in the syrup. So the concentration in places will be really high and it will not be evenly distributed throughout the syrup.
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesnosema.htm
http://www.bushfarms.com/beespests.htm#nosema
Since fumidil causes birth defects and since it makes Nosema cerana worse rather than better, and since Nosema cerana has virtually displaced Nosema apis, you could not pay me to use it.
http://journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article?id=10.1371/journal.ppat.1003185
Not to mention that it kills the bacteria in the gut of the bee that protects them from Nosema...
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0033188
Welcome. THere are lots of knowledgeable people on the boards here.
Welcome