MAQS and feeding

[sandysman]

I have been fortunate enough to have been donated a new herd of bees from a friend. Sadly they are low on stores and heavy with varroa. I am treating the hive along with my own with MAQS and to date I have had a massive varroa drop from it. I feel that I need to feed it as soon as I can. Has anyone treated with MAQS and fed at the same time? The treatment went on on Sunday.
Andy

 

[drstitson]

no reason why not. if they need feed they need feeding.

 

[masterBK]

On the MAQS FAQs
Subject: Feeding during treatment.
Q) Can I feed during treatment?
A) Feeding of any type (frame, hive-top feeder) is not recommended during
treatment. Feeding may commence after the 7-day treatment is finished.

However NOD don't give a reason for this (presumably gets them too excited?)

 

[drstitson]

"is not recommended"

but if colony needs it that trumps any "recommendations".

 

[pargyle]

"is not recommended"

but if colony needs it that trumps any "recommendations".

Don't you just wish that manufacturers of products when they give 'recommendations' would follow them up with explanations as to why the either do or don't recommend doing something ...

 

[enrico]

"is not recommended"

but if colony needs it that trumps any "recommendations".

, they will take it or they might not but at least try,
E

 

[masterBK]

Also on the FAQs
Subject: Examining the colony and then treating.
Q) The label says to disturb the colony as little as possible at time of
application. Can I do a full colony exam and then treat immediately, or should
I wait and come back and treat?
A) The bees need to have their affairs in order when treated. When running
trials it was found out that the colony assessments were best done 3 days in
advance of the application. If the colonies were taken apart, assessed,
reassembled and then treated shortly after we saw some absconding. It also
increased the risk of queen loss. After an exam it would be best to wait at
least until the next day to apply MAQS.

The suggestion that disturbed colonies might kill the queen might also apply in the case of feeding as when a feeder is placed on the colony their bees do get rather excited for a while (as do the bees in surrounding colonies).

 

[mbc]

herd of bees

Love it