Thymol recipe against Nosema & fermentation of syrup feed...

[drex]

When I sat my microscopy exam a few years ago, you are expected to take some live bees, from which to make a slide for Nosema examination. It was full of Nosema spores. The examiner ( Graham Royle) asked if I had expected that as it was the heaviest infestation he has seen for a long time. He in fact asked for a sample so that he could use it for teaching purposes. I replied it was totally enexpected as the bees appeared strong and healthy. He suggested I could spray the thymol recipe over each comb, but I was likely to lose the colony, but As it was later in the year I did not do so. I had plenty of other colonies. The bees came through the winter OK, still strong, and when sampled in spring the Nosema count was very low. I do not know what was going on but the bees obviously handled it themselves.

 

[madasafish]

Our Association apiary had a terrible case of nosema - one nuc in a circle used for Q rearing. We destroyed the colony as they would likely infect all the other hives due to drifting.
In eight seasons of beekeeping (with my own and Assoc. apiary and colonies belonging to others) I have never seen another VISIBLE case.

 

[Erichalfbee]

In essence I am asking: Can this Thymol treatment be used with Fondant (or a sugar block) instead of syrup; with one kilo of sugar provided in Fondant containing the same amount of Thymol as one kilo of sugar in the syrup mix outline by Hivemaker?

I have treated and pulled through a colony with N crane so I have only the one instance to draw from but I would think adding fondant in winter wouldn't work. All the bees have to take in a gut full of thymol which is why you spray them

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Dear Mr H Maker, could you tell me have you ever added any essential oils to the recipe ?

(or anyone else for that matter)

Thanks in advance
BB

Thymol - that's an essential oil, why add anything else?

In essence I am asking: Can this Thymol treatment be used with Fondant (or a sugar block) instead of syrup; with one kilo of sugar provided in Fondant containing the same amount of Thymol as one kilo of sugar in the syrup mix outline by Hivemaker?

Doubtful - how are you going to ensure it is mixed in evenly?
You feed them thymol syrup in the autumn so that it is mixed in their stores. no need then to faff around with trying to lace fondant with it.

 

[Swarm]

Can't see how it could be mixed in evenly. Perhaps if you make your own but I doubt that would be fun.

 

[For want of a better word]

For all the doubting Thomases;
Thymol (2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol) is the main monoterpene phenol occurring in essential oils isolated from plants belonging to the Lamiaceae family (Thymus, Ocimum, Origanum, and Monarda genera), and other plants such as those belonging to the Verbenaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Ranunculaceae, and Apiaceae families. These essential oils are used in the food industry for their flavouring and preservative properties, in commercial mosquito repellent formulations for their natural repellent effect, in aromatherapy, and in traditional medicine for the treatment of headaches, coughs, and diarrhea. Many different activities of thymol such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, local anaesthetic, antinociceptive, cicatrizing, antiseptic, and especially antibacterial and antifungal properties have been shown. This review aims to critically evaluate the available literature regarding the antibacterial and antifungal effects of thymol.

ONLY used to stop the sugar syrup from going moldy.... before someone attempts to prevent its use, licence it and sell for extortionate prices

Nos da

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Can't see how it could be mixed in evenly. Perhaps if you make your own but I doubt that would be fun.

can you imagine - all that heat, the aroma of thymol would be there for months.

 

[Tom Bick]

Its been some time since reading through but may be helpful https://www.apidologie.org/articles/apido/full_html/2010/02/m09043/m09043.html

 

[Curly green fingers]

can you imagine - all that heat, the aroma of thymol would be there for months.

What if you mixed it in when your cooling the fondant down ? It wouldnt be as hot. ( sorry off thread). Maybe!

 

[JWF]

I have mixed some thymol into fondant for a colony which had signs of bee poo on the outside of the hive at Xmas. They're slowly eating it so it hasn't put them off at least.

I thought it was worth a go, as there's sweet FA else I can do at this time of year!

 

[Curly green fingers]

I have mixed some thymol into fondant for a colony which had signs of bee poo on the outside of the hive at Xmas. They're slowly eating it so it hasn't put them off at least.

I thought it was worth a go, as there's sweet FA else I can do at this time of year!

How did you do it ?

 

[JWF]

How did you do it ?

Dissolved the thymol in IPA, rolled out the fondant flat, poured on the small volume of liquid and then kneaded/folded it into the fondant to get it fairly evenly mixed.

 

[Curly green fingers]

https://articles.mercola.com/herbal-oils/thyme-oil.asp
I found this link it's about thyme's that have thymol among other things.

 

[Curly green fingers]

https://articles.mercola.com/herbal-oils/thyme-oil.asp
I found this link it's about thyme's that have thymol among other things.

 

[SDM]

I have mixed some thymol into fondant for a colony which had signs of bee poo on the outside of the hive at Xmas. r!

My money would be on unprocessed feed fermenting and not Nosema

 

[JWF]

My money would be on unprocessed feed fermenting and not Nosema

Quite possibly, but nothing to lose by adding thymol to the fondant so I thought I might as well.

 

[Curly green fingers]

Quite possibly, but nothing to lose by adding thymol to the fondant so I thought I might as well.

can you suggest any good shops to buy thymol from?

cheers mark.

 

[JWF]

I can't remember where I got mine from, but I see that thrones do it

https://www.thorne.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&filter_name=Thymol&product_id=1654

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

can you suggest any good shops to buy thymol from?

cheers mark.

C Wynne Jones is usually the best source.

 

[Curly green fingers]

C Wynne Jones is usually the best source.

Thanks Jenkins I'll look in to it!