- Joined
- Jun 20, 2009
- Messages
- 2,428
- Reaction score
- 2
- Location
- Kingsbridge, South Devon
- Hive Type
- None
- Number of Hives
- 0 - Now in beeless retirement!
The manufacturers of Api Life Var have always said for Northern Europe two tablets should be used then 14 days later two more introduced. This compares with the standard method of treating which introduces a single tablet every 7 days.
The problem has been defining what is "Northern Europe". Having now spoken with the manufacturer the guidance is that for Northern Britain, e.g. Scotland, two tablets is recommended. The same also applies elsewhere if treatment starts late and night time temperatures are falling.
It is not a precise art and they cannot say that above a certain Latitude or after a certain date the two tablet procedure should be followed as there are too many variables. The risks of over-dosing are low but if the bees fall out of the hive and hang from the entrance then this is a good indication they have been over-dosed! If this happens the tablets should be removed and when things return to normal introduce a single tablet.
I know some people will like specific guidance but some degree of judgement will have to be used. My advice would be to use the two tablet system if you are in a cold and/or exposed site in the northern part of the UK - wherever that starts! Also, if delaying treatment until after the bees have come back from the heather then two tablets would be worth trying wherever you are in the UK - but monitor the bees’ reaction closely especially in the first day or so.
Other thymol treatments do not specify different regimes depending on location and temperature - but these are factors which need to be taken into account. Failure to do so may explain why some people have not found thymol as effective as they expected.
The problem has been defining what is "Northern Europe". Having now spoken with the manufacturer the guidance is that for Northern Britain, e.g. Scotland, two tablets is recommended. The same also applies elsewhere if treatment starts late and night time temperatures are falling.
It is not a precise art and they cannot say that above a certain Latitude or after a certain date the two tablet procedure should be followed as there are too many variables. The risks of over-dosing are low but if the bees fall out of the hive and hang from the entrance then this is a good indication they have been over-dosed! If this happens the tablets should be removed and when things return to normal introduce a single tablet.
I know some people will like specific guidance but some degree of judgement will have to be used. My advice would be to use the two tablet system if you are in a cold and/or exposed site in the northern part of the UK - wherever that starts! Also, if delaying treatment until after the bees have come back from the heather then two tablets would be worth trying wherever you are in the UK - but monitor the bees’ reaction closely especially in the first day or so.
Other thymol treatments do not specify different regimes depending on location and temperature - but these are factors which need to be taken into account. Failure to do so may explain why some people have not found thymol as effective as they expected.
