best time to medicate

[papabear]

When is the best time to medicate the hives before the winter?

[irekkin]

IMHO- right after you take your honey supers off. in my case that's right about now. we've got eight to ten weeks before frost, if i treat now this gives the bees time to "get over it". there is still plenty of pollen sources (golden rod, aster, thistle ) and i'm gonna help them along with some syrup. so hopfully by the time they shut down for winter they'll be strong with low mite counts and plenty to eat. hey, the best laid plans of mice and men. good luck.

[jdpro5010]

Randy Oliver has stated that you must have your hives treated by Aug. 15.  That gives them at least 3 brood cycles to raise good healthy bees to survive the winter.

[Kathyp]

Randy Oliver has stated that you must have your hives treated by Aug. 15

nice idea, but not practical for many of us.  also depends on what you are using.

however, the time and temp consideration is another motivating factor in my trying to go treatment free, or at least treatment-less.

i should also specify that i am talking about mite treatment.  there is nothing else i would "treat" for prophylacticly.

[Michael Bush]

>When is the best time to medicate the hives before the winter?

IMHO, never. :)

[gaucho10]

I second Michael Bush.  Earlier today I was at our monthly bee meeting and the topic was "preparing for winter".  I listened to all the speal about medicating and I started tobe disgusted with the topic.  I kept bees for 21 years and gave it up in 2000 because of the medications.  I started up again last year and I am happy with treatment-free beekeeping.  That's just my thoughts for the day :)

[Kathyp]

the best time to medicate is when you have a problem.  hows that?   :-D