I stopped feeding my 4 hives from the middle of August thru Sept because we had a nice lengthy flo going. I'm reading that a fall feeding is good, and to use 2-1 syrup.
Regarding fumigilin, would like some advice as how to proceed for my neck of the woods :eusa_think:
Randy Oliver states: There are some differences in opinion regarding the details for feeding Fumagilin-B. The label states that if the colony requires feeding of unmedicated syrup for stores, that such feeding should be done after feeding of medicated syrup. However, some authorities recommend instead that feeding for stores be done before the medication, so that the medicated syrup is the last thing stored in the broodnest, and is thereby not diluted or covered by unmedicated syrup.
I went straight to the horse’s mouth, and asked Willy Baumgartner to clarify. His point is that each colony may have different winter feeding needs. Therefore, he suggests that the medicated syrup be fed first, in order to make sure that each colony gets the appropriate dose, and then do any further feeding to top off stores as you’re able. He feels that this strategy offers good protection against both nosemas.
Others, however, question whether the colony will actually consume the proper dose of fumagillin during the initial feeding, or whether they will simply store it. So we have conflicting recommendations for fall feeding. “Medicate last” makes sense to me if you are sure that the weather will allow you to finally get the treatment in. The “medicate first” strategy may be more appropriate in northern areas where winter can set in without warning.
