Last year's fumidil B syrup

[greatbritishhoney]

I treated for nosema last year with Fumidil B. I accidentally made up too much syrup and stuck it in the shed on the off chance that I might need it.
Anyway, I've just looked at it and it seems OK - hasn't granulated or anything. My question is is it safe / advisable to use this now as a spring feed just to use it up? If so, should I dilute it first?

 

[borderer]

I treated for nosema last year with Fumidil B. I accidentally made up too much syrup and stuck it in the shed on the off chance that I might need it.
Anyway, I've just looked at it and it seems OK - hasn't granulated or anything. My question is is it safe / advisable to use this now as a spring feed just to use it up? If so, should I dilute it first?

Can I also ask if Fumidil B has a shelf life as I found some that must be at least six years old

 

[nottingham]

Did you make the sugar syrup yourself, then add the Fumidil B? If that is how you make it up, I wouldn't be happy with using it but im sure there will be a beek that may say other wise. My reason for not using it, if it is indeed made with homemade sugar syrup, it that homemade sugar syrup doesn't stay fresh for very long and the water content could be poor, but if that were the case I doubt the bee would feed on it . So if it is homemade sugar syrup you might well find that you end up tipping it down the sink anyway, once the bees make it clear that they don't want it.

 

[greatbritishhoney]

Did you make the sugar syrup yourself, then add the Fumidil B? If that is how you make it up, I wouldn't be happy with using it but im sure there will be a beek that may say other wise. My reason for not using it, if it is indeed made with homemade sugar syrup, it that homemade sugar syrup doesn't stay fresh for very long and the water content could be poor, but if that were the case I doubt the bee would feed on it . So if it is homemade sugar syrup you might well find that you end up tipping it down the sink anyway, once the bees make it clear that they don't want it.

Yes, I made it myself - standard beet sugar, water and Fumidil B powder.
I binned the fumidil B carton after use so can't easily refer back to the instructions for advice on shelf life etc.

 

[nottingham]

Yes, I made it myself - standard beet sugar, water and Fumidil B powder.
I binned the fumidil B carton after use so can't easily refer back to the instructions for advice on shelf life etc.

Personally I wouldn't risk it, If Fumidil B were only a few months out of date and the sugar syrup was made only a few days ago, then I would say go for it.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Yes, I made it myself - standard beet sugar, water and Fumidil B powder.
I binned the fumidil B carton after use so can't easily refer back to the instructions for advice on shelf life etc.

Stability of the solution will differ from stability of the powder.
It will degrade in the light.
One think strikes me though. Why are you considering treating with an antibiotic when it's not needed?
I would throw the stuff away.

 

[greatbritishhoney]

Why are you considering treating with an antibiotic when it's not needed?
I would throw the stuff away.

Hi Eric, I'm not necessarily considering using it. My instinct is to chuck it away but just wanted to see what others thought before doing that.
However, you could argue that seeing as my bees tested positive for nosema apis & ceranae last year then there is likely to still be a residual amount of nosema left even after treatment.

 

[johna]

Fumidil B is a bi-product of a fungus Fumagillin.It has most probably ceased to be effective-so I would'nt risk it.I don't know if a mixed sample becomes toxic after a time lapse.
Eric- Fumadil is used to treat Nosema either Apis or Cerenia.Good thing to use at any time as Nosema is not visible unless it's caused Dysentry - if it's Cerenea the only vis' signs are dissappearing bees and dwindling colony.

 

[oliver90owner]

Can I also ask if Fumidil B has a shelf life as I found some that must be at least six years old

Each receptacle is dated stamped with a 'best before', or similar. It will be less than six years ahead, of that I am sure, but the actual practical shelf life could be longer than the quoted value.

Just relative, really, depending on the initial storage life expected and also the storage conditions, etc. - per eg, I would eat a can of food if a month out of date on a three year shelf life, but would not do the same for something with a shelf-life of one week!

Regards, RAB

 

[Erichalfbee]

Hi Eric, I'm not necessarily considering using it. My instinct is to chuck it away but just wanted to see what others thought before doing that.
However, you could argue that seeing as my bees tested positive for nosema apis & ceranae last year then there is likely to still be a residual amount of nosema left even after treatment.

Ah..sorry, didn't realise.

Doesn't nosema become less of a problem once bees are out in the spring?
If one had nosema in a colony in the autumn then would a treatment in with the spring stimulation feed be in order.
I'm asking only as I have no idea.

 

[Hombre]

If you can stick your finger in it and it doesn't taste or smell off, then I would give it to the girls. I'm sure that they would take it and come to exactly no harm.

 

[oliver90owner]

There is, of course, the same argument as for human medecines - supply the whole dose or none at all.

You may think your 'part dose' will do no harm but when a resistant nosema variant strain rears its head and is immune to fumidil-B treatment, everyone will likely suffer the same fate eventually.

So please bear this in mind before using this old stuff. I would discard it, for that reason alone.

RAB

 

[Hombre]

I have to agree that you make it a difficult argument to refute RAB.

 

[Ruary]

Doesn't nosema become less of a problem once bees are out in the spring?
.

That depends on which Nosema you have: N. apis yes. N. ceranae No.
Ruary

 

[Erichalfbee]

That depends on which Nosema you have: N. apis yes. N. ceranae No.
Ruary

So would one treat in the spring as well as the previous autumn?

 

[johna]

So would one treat in the spring as well as the previous autumn?

The short answer is yes if you suspect dwindling.The Fumidil or other nosema treatments don't affect the bee but work by blocking the nosema's ability to rob food and procreate in the gut of the larva and honeybee.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Thanks johna

 

[greatbritishhoney]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Down the drain it goes.