This message on Nosema is timely indeed.
 
Hello Gang,
 
I was reading the brochure that came with some Fumidil-B.
 
It reads,"Dosage and preparation of Medicated Syrup"
 
"Fumidil-B is best prepared at a concentration in the range
of 75 to 100 mg.fumigillin activity per gallon of 2:1 sugar
syrup."
 
So far so good!
 
The instructions now leave the confines of reality
as they further recommend," When only (1) or (2) colonies
are to be treated, the syrup may be made by dissolving a
rounded teaspoonful (3.75 to 5 grams ) FUMIDIL-B per galon
of syrup."
 
Let's run the numbers folks!
 
There are 1000 milligrams in 1 gram.
There are 5000 milligrams in 5 grams.
 
The bottle of Fumidil-B holds 500 mg. or half a gram.
and is clearly labled that way.
 
At the 100 mg./gal. rate ,500 mg. will make 5 gallons
of treated syrup.
 
At the 100 mg./gal. rate, 5000 mg. will make 50 gallons
of treated syrup.
 
At the 5 gram/gal. rate, you are overdosing your bees
by a factor of 10 to 1.
 
My point is this; if an unsuspecting new beekeeper
takes the later intructions for 1 or 2 colonies and
does not do the math, then he will be overdosing his
bee.
 
Obviously, the writer did not do the math when he
wrote this. I will call the manufacturer tomorrow
and inform them of this error.
 
Meanwhile,read the labels carefully folks.
 
Which brings up the Terramycin dosage,but that is
a subject for another letter.
 
 
de AA1IK,              Time the accursed enemy of man,
                       cursed by youth for going to slow
Ernie Gregoire         and by the old for going to fast.
 
R.R. 1, Box 221,
South Rd.              Beekeeper
Canaan, NH. 03741      Fly fisher & tier,
                       Promise Keeper.
 
E-mail address: [log in to unmask]
 
packet address: [log in to unmask]
 
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10/07/98 18:29:24