Maqs

[herefordshirehoney]

Do not breathe in the fumes... or you will end up horizontal

Was formic acid available a few years( probably quite a few) in a crystallised form?

Still is on ebay, personally im gonna stick to thymol this year as I dont want to loose any queens. Was quite keen on trying it before I read into more.

 

[itma]

... for the majority of our hives, the main crop of the year is the Himalayan balsam, which goes on so late that it is difficult to squeeze in an apiguard treatment while the temperatures are high enough for it to be effective, and then to feed for winter if necessary. ...

One recent "Doh!" moment was when the retired bee inspector casually mentioned that he installs his Celotex/Kingspan top insulation when he does Apiguard treatment! Of course! Do what you can to keep the hive temperature high and increase the chance of the treatment being effective! Obvious after it was mentioned ...


And for late autumn feeding, Ambrosia (and similar invert syrups) does seem to be taken later. Costly, but cheaper than honey! And since it doesn't ferment/mould it could be left on in the hope that on warmer days, they could take some more - a small contact feeder might be the best hope of late late feeding.



Whether or not people come round to it in time, MAQS looks like a niche product - though it might fit different niches for different beeks!

 

[Finman]

he installs his Celotex/Kingspan top insulation when he does Apiguard treatment! Of course!

- a small contact feeder might be the best hope of late late feeding.

first, apiquar's place is not in insulations. It is clearly said where they should be.
Follow instructions.

Late feeding.........feeding must be done so that bees cover the food.
In Finland very popular format is that tymol pad is in the hive during autumn feeding.

Thymol and Formic acid are so old tricks that you need not invent a wheel any more.

.treatment should be done so early that it protects winter bee brood.

 

[tidymeup]

Very seriously thinking about it. for the majority of our hives, the main crop of the year is the Himalayan balsam, which goes on so late that it is difficult to squeeze in an apiguard treatment while the temperatures are high enough for it to be effective, and then to feed for winter if necessary. I've found almost without exception that the bees will not take feed while there is apiguard on....and later in the autumn it just gets too chilly for syrup feeding. ...the timings are tricky. There are high levels of resistance to some treatments in our area, so choices are limited as we don't want to make that particular problem any worse. So if MAQS provides a solution, then yes, worth a try.

LJ

I am with you on this one. Such a short time scale to get everything done and usually feeding is the biggest issue. Usually they just done take it down.

 

[Finman]

I am with you on this one. Such a short time scale to get everything done and usually feeding is the biggest issue. Usually they just done take it down.

yes but, how a proffesional beekeeper can handle 1000 hives when a hobby beekeeper handle 10 hives?

.- a professional starts so early that he gets all done in time.

 

[itma]

first, apiquar's place is not in insulations. It is clearly said where they should be.
Follow instructions.
...

¿Huh?


Apiguard tray on top bars in a small eke.
And above that ...
Coverboard, no holes.
Insulation.
Roof.

What is your problem with that?