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.