Feeding while treating for varroa?

[BeeBo]

I put on the second lot of apiguard treatment a week ago. I'm aware this treatment should last for two weeks.

I worried I'm running out of time to feed.

Would it be ok to start feeding now or must it wait another week?

 

[For want of a better word]

Apiguard is 2 doses each for 2 weeks running consecutively.
I feed with thymolated syrup 2:1 using either Ashforth / Millar / rapid feeders ...
whilst treatment is underway....and bees do not seem to have any objection to storing it all away

 

[brianmc]

I put on the second lot of apiguard treatment a week ago. I'm aware this treatment should last for two weeks.

I worried I'm running out of time to feed.

Would it be ok to start feeding now or must it wait another week?

I think the recommendation not to feed during treatment is based on the risk that the bees may spend their time storing feed rather than cleaning the apiguard out.

 

[Spikedog]

Had similar concern this year - Consensus appears to be its ok to feed on the second week of the Api treatment

 

[Moggs]

Late feeding with sugar syrup brings a risk that bees may not process/ store it in time before the big chill sets in and they lose motivation to get it all sorted. Take a risk on the temperatures or feed anyway. Better to give them the opportunity to take the stuff rather than have to resort to fondant as your only means later in the year, methinks.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Late feeding with sugar syrup brings a risk that bees may not process/ store it in time before the big chill sets in and they lose motivation to get it all sorted. Take a risk on the temperatures or feed anyway. Better to give them the opportunity to take the stuff rather than have to resort to fondant as your only means later in the year, methinks.

What temperature would you consider too low for syrup?

 

[The Drone Ranger]

In Devon you should be ok feeding syrup at the moment
It can be done at the same time as thymol treatment.
Some bees won't take syrup from contact feeders when the Apiguard is being used
If they are taking syrup that is fine
Time is running out for syrup feeds though

 

[For want of a better word]

Only reference to use seems to be not to overdose or feed when a honey flow is on.... the one dose for two weeks followed by a second dose for another dose is to zap the varroa for a complete life (DEATH?) cycle.

 

[TryingToLetThemBee]

In Devon you should be ok feeding syrup at the moment
It can be done at the same time as thymol treatment.
Some bees won't take syrup from contact feeders when the Apiguard is being used
If they are taking syrup that is fine
Time is running out for syrup feeds though

This is Scotland talking to Devon, mind.

 

[For want of a better word]

This is Scotland talking to Devon, mind.

If that Jet ~ stream starts moving about again things weatherwise could reverse!

 

[REDWOOD]

I would like to know too what is the min ambient temp to feed syrup.

 

[REDWOOD]

I googled this question and some American beekeepers have reported temps as low as 30f/ that's -1 and bees still taking syrup, but what most are saying is the temp of the syrup that is important and that should be no lower than 50f/10c

 

[For want of a better word]

I googled this question and some American beekeepers have reported temps as low as 30f/ that's -1 and bees still taking syrup, but what most are saying is the temp of the syrup that is important and that should be no lower than 50f/10c

Insulate around the feeder?

 

[TryingToLetThemBee]

Insulate around the feeder?

See http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=26576 for a lot of good stuff on that.

 

[REDWOOD]

Insulate around the feeder?

That sprung to mind,
maybe a bit of cow dung in a sealed plastic bag

Or a couple of hand warmers should maintain the the temp for a few hours longer

Lowest temperature forecast in my neck of the woods for the next 5 days is 15c so should be ok to get some syrup down them

 

[richardbees]

Redwood

I suppose it all depends on the temp in the area above the feeder hole.

Mine have taken winter feed from a rapid feeder as late as end October with a thin ply crown board- so heat from the bb leaked through.

 

[REDWOOD]

See http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=26576 for a lot of good stuff on that.

Yes derekm is the master bee heat energy science man dude, although he does have a fixation with insulating boards which does raise my eyebrows somewhat

 

[REDWOOD]

Redwood

I suppose it all depends on the temp in the area above the feeder hole.

Mine have taken winter feed from a rapid feeder as late as end October with a thin ply crown board- so heat from the bb leaked through.

It doesn't usually get cold here until November unless you live on top of the mountains

 

[psafloyd]

I've only just got the first dose of Apiguard on a few hives, so am thinking of a thymolated syrup.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

It doesn't usually get cold here until November unless you live on top of the mountains

Cold! don't be so soft, you bottom of the valleys boys don't know you're born, many a morning I've had to break the ice on the hand basin before having a pee - and that's in August!