FALL MEDICATIONS

[KONASDAD]

In preperation for my first fall, I was wondering which medications are you guys using, and how to apply them would be helpful. Thanx .

[Jerrymac]

That's real easy........ none

[Matz]

My fall medications are as follows:

Oxytetracycline-for AFB/EFB
Fumagilin-for Nosema
Formic Acid on Mite Pads-for both Trachael mites and Varroa mites

Started treating with Oxy and Formic as soon as honey supers are pulled off to avoid contamination of honey crop.  Feed HFCS with Fumagilin beginning of Oct.  Opinions will vary, but I always assume that there are some disease/mites and the treatments are neccessary.  And always follow the recommmended instructions for applications...

[BeeHopper]

Apiguard to knock down the mites, nothing else goes into my hives. :)

[Michael Bush]

>That's real easy........ none

Same here.  30 years of none.

[Kirk-o]

Zerooooooooooooooo
noneeeeeeeeeeeeeee
nadaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

small cell

kirko

[BEE C]

I would check with local beekeeping associations in YOUR area to see what diseases are present.  In some areas it is illegal to not treat hives, for example Skep hives are not allowed to be used as they can't be managed.  My area has many diseases, but this year I treated with fumagilin b for nosema, and apistan and formic acid pads for varroa.  I have a neighbour who doesn't treat his hives for anything.  He collected MUCH less honey this year from established hives than I did from packages.  Bees can survive without treatments depending on the severity of the disease, but skilled management techniques are necessary to not use treatments, and instead go the route of small cell etc.  Read up on the treatments and decide from the facts what you want to use in your hives, or find out the facts about HOW to manage hives without.  There is a large body of information on both perspectives on this site, opinions are very divided, but if this is your first year, you might want to stick with what works in your particular area, whether that is medication or not.

[Brian D. Bray]

I agree to a point with BeeC.  Good management practices are a must, but I don't believe unatural chemicals need be applied.  Better management practices are natural and earth friendly.

[Michael Bush]

> In some areas it is illegal to not treat hives

I don't know about Canada, but I know of no state that requires you to put chemicals in your beehives.  There are some that would require you to either burn a hive that HAS AFB or treat it, but none, that I know of, that require regular treatments of any kind.  I seriously doubt that treatments are required anywhere.  They are not allowed in many countries.  At all.