Probably a Very Silly Question

[nelletap]

I'm in my 4th year of beekeeping. I seem to remember I usually do the apiguard treatment and then the autumn feeding. Not sure whether that was because the queen in my first colony reacted so badly to apiguard (stopped laying entirely) that I couldn't bear to let them have it in the syrup or whether there was a good beekeeping reason for this. A recent article about possibly adding thymol crystals to syrup has made me ponder whether it is OK or even beneficial to have both apiguard and autumn feed on the hive?
So I invite the usual, stimulating debate on pros and cons. Just don't be too cruel on this aged but still novice beekeeper.
Tricia

 

[For want of a better word]

We use Apiguard and then feed with Thymolated syrup.
Apiguard works best with warm ambient air temperature ..... the feeders go on more or less at the time the second week of treatment has finished.

 

[Luminos]

I did the same as Icanhopit

 

[dickndoris]

I also do as the above using Apiguard and hive makers home brew. Only on one colony at the moment due to hi natural drop. The others will start in a few more weeks yet.

 

[jackstraw]

icanhopit and Luminos

I believe that Apiguard is two consecutive two week courses of treatment

Do you feed at the end of the second week of the first course or at the end of the second course of Apiguard

ie If Apiguard is first put on on 1st September and the second course is put on on 15th September what date would you start feeding?

 

[drstitson]

one of the issues re feeding with apiguard on depends upon your choice of feeder - since apiguard works best on a minimal volume sealed up hive.

 

[Luminos]

I fed them as soon as the 2nd Apiguard treatment was finished, Jackstraw

 

[For want of a better word]

I fed them as soon as the 2nd Apiguard treatment was finished, Jackstraw

Feeders go on in last week of September... some Apiguard may be still left on top of frames if bees have not cleared it all away.... so same as Luminos!

 

[jackstraw]

That's crystal clear

What a nice change to have a thread which stays on topic and the peers answering give simple explanations without feeling the need to belittle the questioners or resort to using initials to demonstrate their superior knowledge. I wish more respondents would learn to be like icanhopit and Luminos

Thanks

 

[Luminos]

 

[pargyle]

What a nice change to have a thread which stays on topic and the peers answering give simple explanations without feeling the need to belittle the questioners or resort to using initials to demonstrate their superior knowledge. I wish more respondents would learn to be like icanhopit and Luminos

Thanks

Give it time .....

 

[beebreeder]

In an ideal world according to the instructions you treat first then feed, but we are dealing with bees and nature, also where you live. Around here if I did not start feeding during treatment I would have dead hives with no mites as there is nothing for them at the moment so I agree with the concensus, if they need feeding, feed and treat as we do not live in that ideal world

 

[lilybetbee]

In my second season, but still confused by timings. Last year HB piling in until temperatures fell, so then too cold for Apiguard, so I bought but never used it.
Did oxalic in January that was all.
I really can't see how to treat and get honey if main flow is September.

 

[VEG]

There are products available that can be used while the supers are on.

 

[Erichalfbee]

In my second season, but still confused by timings. Last year HB piling in until temperatures fell, so then too cold for Apiguard, so I bought but never used it.
Did oxalic in January that was all.
I really can't see how to treat and get honey if main flow is September.

You've got 4 hives.
try MAQS on two?

 

[Polyanwood]

On my hives that were short of stores but still had Apiguard on, I have given them fondant about the crownboard instead of syrup.

I am not really certain why Apiguard says not to feed - it doesn't make sense as mostly feed is above the crownboard. It has been fully tested, so there must be a reason.

 

[For want of a better word]

I am not really certain why Apiguard says not to feed - it doesn't make sense as mostly feed is above the crownboard. It has been fully tested, so there must be a reason.


Precautionary principle??

 

[nelletap]

Thanks everyone for a treasure trove of advice. The apiguard is on without any syrup. Wouldn't it be nice to know for certain what the weather would do for the next few weeks. Never mind.
Tricia

 

[drstitson]

"I really can't see how to treat and get honey if main flow is September."

are you not a member of the BBKA? plenty of ads for MAQS littering their output all season. you can't miss 'em.

 

[For want of a better word]

Is this the ACID test ?