Feeding/Varroa treatment.

[SDM]

I thought not feeding with apiguard was because they were more prone to robbing.

 

[Newbeeneil]

Would feeding fondant be a better alternative if the bees were on the point of starvation?

 

[ShinySideUp]

I have found that Apiguard seems to be less effective these days anyway, at least on my hives. I have switched -- for this year -- to Apivar; doesn't matter if you are feeding or not.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Would feeding fondant be a better alternative if the bees were on the point of starvation?

Not really - they need more water to process it.
And anyway, bees will store fondant same as they will syrup.

 

[reigate]

Is it possible to place a feeder above the crownboard with an eke beneath. as I have apiguard on top of the brood frames. This will allow me to feed syrup as well as treat with Apiguard.

 

[Swarm]

Try it and see.

 

[For want of a better word]

Try it and see.

From memory... we used Apiguard for about six years in succession.... the manufacturers did not advise feeding and treating at the same time... quite why I do not know!

Chons da

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Is it possible to place a feeder above the crownboard with an eke beneath. as I have apiguard on top of the brood frames. This will allow me to feed syrup as well as treat with Apiguard.

It is, but be aware that if you feed them in such quantites that they will try to store it they may fill the extra space with brace comb filled with sugar 'honey'

 

[reigate]

I have had Apiguard on the hive for 3 days. Is it possible to change to MAQS as it has a much shorter treatment time which allows more time for winter feeding as the colony is low on stores (3 frames)

 

[drex]

Not enough stores to Last another three and a half weeks? You can feed with Apiguard on if you think they need emergency feed. It will just reduce the efficiency with which they disperse the thymol.
There is still plenty of time to get in the main winter stores

 

[mbc]

I have had Apiguard on the hive for 3 days. Is it possible to change to MAQS as it has a much shorter treatment time which allows more time for winter feeding as the colony is low on stores (3 frames)

If they have enough stores to get them through the duration of the treatment (3 frames is ample imho) why bother?
A colony can pack away all their winter stores in 48hrs once the treatment is over if you use a big enough feeder and they've the strength to do the work.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Why start yet another thread on the same subject? this is all getting very confusing.

Three frames of stores is not 'low on stores' by the way. I think you need to start weeding out some of your replies - especially those who believe that colonies should be fed and apiguard put on at the summer solstice.
You have Apiguard on, plenty of time for it to be effective, there is still forage out there, just because they are not filling supers, doen't mean they are not bringing any food in and starving.
If they are on the verge of starving then a quick feed of 1:1 syrup will do no harm and will not have an adverse effect on the Apiguard treatment.
And to be honest, MAQS brings with it another raft of issues.
Chill out a little and leave the apiguard take it's course

 

[reigate]

I have a problem and would like some advice please. After an inspection yesterday i found the colony low on stores. The colony has Apiguard on which does not allow me to feed syrup. Worried about bees starving due to lack of stores.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

feed them FFS, this is getting a bit silly now

 

[Murox]

If they are about to starve then Feed them and worry about anything else later.

 

[Walrus]

I have a problem and would like some advice please. After an inspection yesterday i found the colony low on stores. The colony has Apiguard on which does not allow me to feed syrup. Worried about bees starving due to lack of stores.

reigate - please stop creating new threads with the same title/subject matter! I just merged a load. Many thanks.

 

[Erichalfbee]

reigate - please stop creating new threads with the same title/subject matter! I just merged a load. Many thanks.

Yep.
The answer is feed them if they need it and keep the treatment on. You don’t need to look for another alternative

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

reigate - please stop creating new threads with the same title/subject matter! I just merged a load. Many thanks.

Did you use newspaper or air freshener?

 

[Walrus]

Did you use newspaper or air freshener?

Never newspaper