Another question on feeding

Apple · Nov 30, 2020

Merryhill said:
In the light of the recent starvation alert I am thinking of feeding fondant to some of my hives.However I had planned to treat all hives with oxalic acid in December using a vaporiser . Can I do this while there is fondant in the hive or must I remove it before the application?

Not too sure about vaporising OA when the bees may be clustered..... more usual to vape before feeding at the end of the season.
Possibly vape in the Spring to wake them up!!
Would be interested in others findings on this??

Chons da

North End Bees · Nov 30, 2020

Apple said:
Not too sure about vaporising OA when the bees may be clustered..... more usual to vape before feeding at the end of the season.
Possibly vape in the Spring to wake them up!!
Would be interested in others findings on this??

Chons da

Vaping in December shouldn't be a problem. Depends where you live. Round here winter solstice can often be low teens.
Spring may well be too late, depending on when @Merryhill last treated, esp as we've had a mild autumn

jenkinsbrynmair · Nov 30, 2020

No problem with doing it midwinter, but unwise to do it in a really cold snap, you want them reasonably active for them all to get covered so, a bit like trickling, a loose cluster is fine

Apple · Nov 30, 2020

jenkinsbrynmair said:
No problem with doing it midwinter, but unwise to do it in a really cold snap, you want them reasonably active for them all to get covered so, a bit like trickling, a loose cluster is fine

Oh! how one likes a nice loose cluster!

Curly green finger's · Nov 30, 2020

jenkinsbrynmair said:
No problem with doing it midwinter, but unwise to do it in a really cold snap, you want them reasonably active for them all to get covered so, a bit like trickling, a loose cluster is fine