Sugar Water

[rsteffens]

Is it a problem to put sugar water into the hives that hasn't quite dissolved all the way?  I have a batch of syrup that is very thick, but there are still a a few crystals that didn't dissolve.  Is it still OK to feed to the bees?

Also, can I mix fumagilin B, and Terramycin into the syrup together, or do they have to be fed separately?

Thanks!
Randy

[Michael Bush]

>Is it a problem to put sugar water into the hives that hasn't quite dissolved all the way?  I have a batch of syrup that is very thick, but there are still a a few crystals that didn't dissolve.  Is it still OK to feed to the bees?

It won't hurt the bees.  It will plug up the feeder eventually.

>Also, can I mix fumagilin B, and Terramycin into the syrup together, or do they have to be fed separately?

It is no longer recommended by anyone to put Terramycin in syrup.  The active ingredients break down too quickly.  Nor is it recommended anymore to put it in a patty.  MOST of the bee scientists I know don't recommend using it at all anymore as it only masks the symptoms of AFB and contributes to resistant strains that cannot be killed by Terramycin and does nothing to cure it.  But IF you intend to use it, you should dust it with powdered sugar.