Thymol death syrup

[DaveS]

Hi. In previous years I have fed plain sugar syrup but conscious that each time a black mould develops thought that this year I'd use thymol to prevent this. I prepared HM's emulsified recipe and used 5ml of this to just over 4.5l of 2:1 syrup.

Put this in 2 rapid feeders yesterday on 2 hives. When I checked today the had taken down a reasonable amount but there were quite a few dead bees (perhaps 20) in the feeder cone in both feeders... Is that normal.? - I'm minded to abandon the Thymol...

 thanks

 

[Anduril]

"Thymol death syrup" is a bit over dramatic. It happens with normal syrup. You could use sandpaper to roughen up the cones to help them get a footing.

 

[DaveS]

Ok perhaps being a bit dramatic but never had any deaths with the same feeders and non-thymol syrup.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

there were quite a few dead bees (perhaps 20) in the feeder cone in both feeders... Is that normal.?

Yes - happens with plain syrup as well, it's just the bees get a bit over eager to get at the syrup and the ones behind push the leaders in. Looking back to other stories, it happens a lot more in the smaller 4 pint rapid feeders.

 

[DaveS]

On a different thread I've seen 2.5ml per gallon of syrup to prevent mould (sticky size 5ml) so perhaps I've used too much.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

On a different thread I've seen 2.5ml per gallon of syrup to prevent mould (sticky size 5ml) so perhaps I've used too much.

no, not really, I have syrup with 5ml per gallon on all my hives at the moment - the stronger dose doesn't just stop mould - it also works as a prophylactic against nosema which can be an issue in overwintering colonies

 

[Erichalfbee]

. Is that normal.? -

I suspect your bees are hungry and there has been a stampede for the syrup.

 

[Curly green finger's]

Use a small amount of vinegar in your syrup it stops mould

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

it won't stop the bee drowning though. Vinegar should be reserved for your chips - and cockles

 

[Curly green finger's]

it won't stop the bee drowning though. Vinegar should be reserved for your chips - and cockles

Nope! as an alternative to thymol it works though to prevent mould, that’s what I was getting at, And it’s probably cheaper too

 

[Penninetrader]

I use some Thorne 1 litre top feeders, 1 with syrup and 1 fondant. These feeders have sloped feeding areas but are not very good at preventing congestion and drowning, to prevent this I place wood floats in the syrup for them to stand on. Problem.....when dry the floats stick meaning I have to open the feeding area to release which allows bee escape and in winter cold air to enter. I am considering using pea gravel to overcome this problem, anyone see a problem with this or have different ideas ? weather will of course bring an abrupt stop to syrup being taken by the bees at which point I will swap out syrup for more fondant.

 

[WoodenBeam]

I suspect your bees are hungry and there has been a stampede for the syrup.

If all the syrup has been taken down I’d agree but typically I find not.
It bugs me about the ring of death in ‘English’ style feeders. Bees just not really working the feeder, some syrup taken but the majority remaining in situ with a surface of dead bees in the cone. In the past I’ve tried sandpapering the cones etc to no real success. Marking feeders that I’ve had issues with and putting them on other colonies only to find the new colony has taken syrup down with no issues. Switching feeders which has sometimes worked, others have just stayed in place until I’ve been fed up checking and finally removed.
This year I am behind and feeding at present with some still to go and have had the ‘ring of death’ in quite a few colonies. The thought did cross my mind that possibly with the weather changing bees in the feeder on mass start to retreat back down into the hive, those that are at the back of the queue end up just cooling down and flagging, eventually just giving up the ghost & creating the ‘ring of death’???
Like I said only a thought…….mental note to myself about putting bees to bed earlier in the year next time around.

 

[Antipodes]

I use some Thorne 1 litre top feeders, 1 with syrup and 1 fondant. These feeders have sloped feeding areas but are not very good at preventing congestion and drowning, to prevent this I place wood floats in the syrup for them to stand on. Problem.....when dry the floats stick meaning I have to open the feeding area to release which allows bee escape and in winter cold air to enter. I am considering using pea gravel to overcome this problem, anyone see a problem with this or have different ideas ? weather will of course bring an abrupt stop to syrup being taken by the bees at which point I will swap out syrup for more fondant.

The Kiwis have designed a good feeder.

 

[Anduril]

The Kiwis have designed a good feeder.

Would that be the blue one with 4 corner and centre access?

 

[Antipodes]

Would that be the blue one with 4 corner and centre access?

Yep!

 

[BeeKeyPlayer]

Hi. In previous years I have fed plain sugar syrup but conscious that each time a black mould develops thought that this year I'd use thymol to prevent this. I prepared HM's emulsified recipe and used 5ml of this to just over 4.5l of 2:1 syrup.

I've used thymol this way in the past to prevent mould (and possibly minimise nosema?). However, it has a smell I really can't stand so when someone suggested an alternative I went for it. I made a LOT of syrup this year and there has been no mould. I used potassium sorbate. You make a stock solution in the ratio of 40g to 1L water, then add 5ml stock per litre of syrup.

 

[Antipodes]

I've used thymol this way in the past to prevent mould (and possibly minimise nosema?). However, it has a smell I really can't stand so when someone suggested an alternative I went for it. I made a LOT of syrup this year and there has been no mould. I used potassium sorbate. You make a stock solution in the ratio of 40g to 1L water, then add 5ml stock per litre of syrup.

Interesting.

What problems does the mould cause?

 

[BeeKeyPlayer]

What problems does the mould cause?

I would never serve mouldy food to any animal (including humans).

 

[JamezF]

I would never serve mouldy food to any animal (including humans).

Stilton? Roquefort?

James

 

[BeeKeyPlayer]

Stilton? Roquefort?

James

Baah! I should have taken a few seconds more to think