Terramycin Question

[gjcluttrell]

I'm a new confused bee keeper. An old timer gave me a recipe to treat bees with terramycin. I trust him but just wanted to run it by you guys before I try it. I'm used to treating with 2 tablespoons of terramycin and a handfull of powdered sugar per hive 3 times at 7 day intervals. The old timer told me to use 1/4 cup of sugar, 1/4 cup of melted Crisco lard, and 4 teaspoons of soluble powder per patty. I agree with the mixture but my question is, this is just one extender patty... Is this enouht terramycin to treat the colony for the spring or fall season. Liike I said, I'm used to doing 3 treatments at 5 - 7 day intervals. Can someone advise? Thanks

[Michael Bush]

>An old timer gave me a recipe to treat bees with terramycin. I trust him but just wanted to run it by you guys before I try it.

I wouldn't.  Treating with terramycin is no longer recommended as it only masks the presence of AFB.  I haven't used Terramycin since 1976.

> I'm used to treating with 2 tablespoons of terramycin and a handfull of powdered sugar per hive 3 times at 7 day intervals.

IF you are going to treat with TM, that would be the typical method used now.

> The old timer told me to use 1/4 cup of sugar, 1/4 cup of melted Crisco lard, and 4 teaspoons of soluble powder per patty. I agree with the mixture but my question is, this is just one extender patty... Is this enouht terramycin to treat the colony for the spring or fall season.

Extender patties have been blamed for the TM resistant AFB we now have.  They are no longer recommended under any circumstances by the experts.  It is the WORST method for applying Terramycin.  I would not treat with TM at ALL but if you insist, for whatever reason, do not use this method.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beespests.htm#afb

[gjcluttrell]

Thanks again for the info. Do you use tylon or tylan? I'm not familair with it but have heard of it. I don't know of anyone in my area who don't use TM but woud be glad to change. I'm a newbee

[gjcluttrell]

Oh, one more thing. When treating with TM, should I use powdered sugar with the TM or should I use regular granulated sugar with TM. I've heard as long as I don't feed the bees powdered sugar it should be fine but want to do the correct thing by not doing anything that might not harm bees. I wonder if I could use regular granulated sugar with terramycin would be the same or work the same as powdered sugar...

[Michael Bush]

Do you take antibiotics all the time just in case you might get sick? Would that be a good idea?

> Do you use tylon or tylan?

No, I do not.  It is only recommended when TM resistant AFB has been diagnosed.  I would not use TM or Tylosin (brand name Tylan) at all.  Ever.  I don't use anything for AFB and have never had any.  IF I found AFB I'd probably burn the combs I found them on and let the bees clean it up.

> When treating with TM, should I use powdered sugar with the TM or should I use regular granulated sugar with TM. I've heard as long as I don't feed the bees powdered sugar it should be fine but want to do the correct thing by not doing anything that might not harm bees. I wonder if I could use regular granulated sugar with terramycin would be the same or work the same as powdered sugar...

Most people who use it (and many do not and most of the experts now recommend that you should NOT treat for AFB with anything), use powdered sugar with it.  Some buy the Baker's sugar (very fine granulated sugar).

I do not treat at all.  With anything.  For anything.  Ever.

I do not use Terramycin.
I have never used Fumidil.
I have never used Checkmite.
I do not use Apistan.
I have never used menthol.
I do not use grease patties.
I have never used Formic acid.
I do not use Oxalic acid.
I do not use essential oils.
I do not use powdered sugar.
I have never done drone trapping.
I do not use any treatment whatsoever.

I have never had AFB.
I have never had EFB.
I have never seen evidence of Nosema.
I have never seen evidence of tracheal mites.
Since going to small cell I have not had any losses to Varroa.
http://www.bushfarms.com/beescerts.htm

http://www.bushfarms.com/beespests.htm

[gjcluttrell]

Thanks

[Michael Bush]

I hope it helps. I just wanted to give you some perspective.

The current typical recommended application of terramycin IF you are going to use it is the powdered sugar method that you were already using.

[tillie]

Hi glcluttrell,

I realize the question you are asking has nothing to do with location, but for future posts, it always helps if you fix your profile to say where you are located.

Linda T in ATlanta