The Virginia State Apiarist, Keith Tignor, issued the notice below
to all members of the Virginia Beekeepers mailing list.

Keith is sure to have checked his facts.  I know him, and he
is very diligent about his work.

In short, the yellow 6.4 oz packets of TM-25 are in short supply,
but there are 2-pound packages of sugar-added pre-mix available.

He makes an excellent point about other forms of TM that
one might find at the agricultural co-op.  They are "too strong",
and I doubt that anyone attempting to "cut" one of these other
formulations could assure an "even" final mix.

Please note that I am saying nothing about the merits of
"preventative" treatment with TM, nor am I saying anything
about the merits of TM as a valid approach to dealing with
Foulbrood once it has been detected.  I'm just passing along
Keith's warning, and my asbestos suit is at the cleaners this
week, so please don't start a flame war.

(I think it is ironic that Virginia has combined the positions of
State Apiarist and Endangered Species Coordinator, but the
irony/humor is likely lost on non-beekeepers, and not very
funny to beekeepers.)

        jim

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Several beekeepers have reported unsuccessful attempts to
obtain Terramycin for the treatment of foulbrood in their beehives.

Catalog suppliers of beekeeping equipment indicate that Terramycin
in the soluble powder formulation is not available. This is the 6.4
ounces package of TM-25 formulation.  Dadant and Sons, Brushy
Mountain Bee Farm and others have sold out of this product.

Their supplier, Pfizer Inc., has been unable to fill orders for additional
supplies. It appears the manufacturer is not providing this material at
this time. Pfizer representatives are in discussions to obtain additional
supplies for distribution.

Terramycin SP is widely used in dust, syrup, and extender patty treatments
to control American foulbrood. The product contains 25 grams of active ingredient,
oxytetracycline, per pound. In response to unavailability of Terramycin SP,
beekeepers are turning to alternative suppliers for antibiotics. Formulations of
Terramycin for animal use are being purchased from farm and agriculture suppliers.
These products are not packaged for use on honeybees; and, usually contain a
higher concentration of active ingredient. Terramycin packaged for animal treatment
may contain 50 to 100 grams of active ingredient per pound. A severe problem in
brood and adult mortality may develop if beekeepers do not adjust treatment
dosage accordingly when using these more potent materials. Users of these animal
products should read labels carefully to determine the amount of active ingredient
in the package.

Other antibiotics are currently being studied for use against foulbrood.
The USDA bee laboratories in Beltsville and Weslaco have been working
with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to obtain approval for Tylosin
and Lincomycin use in hives. These medications show promising control of
American foulbrood; and, offer an alternative for controlling resistant AFB.
However, the earliest approval is not expected until next year. These products
should not be used in beehives until such approval is obtained. Studies on
contamination of honey and effects on honeybees have not been completed.

Both the Lynchburg office for Dadant and Sons and Brushy Mountain Bee Farm
in North Carolina indicate abundant supplies of pre-mix Terramycin are available.
This is a mixture of Terramycin and sugar for dusting application. A two pound
supply of this product costs between $8.50 to $9.50. Such a quantity would
provide 32 treatments at one ounce per hive. Dusting with Terramycin is the
recommended treatment for foulbrood in honeybees. This is the most efficient
means of administering the medication. Syrup mixtures may breakdown rapidly.
Extender patties should not be used to treat brood diseases. The development
of resistant strains of American foulbrood has been link to extender patty use in hives.
Beekeepers are encouraged to obtain pre-mix Terramycin formulations from their
supplier of beekeeping equipment.

The Office of Plant and Pest Services will continue to monitor the supplies of
Terramycin SP, or TM-25. Updates on the availability of this product will be
forwarded to the local associations and interested beekeepers as they are
received. This is believed to be a temporary problem. However, it is unknown
when this product will again become available to Virginia beekeepers. Please,
advise your fellow beekeepers about using approved alternative formulations
of this antibiotic.

Sincerely,
Keith Tignor

State Apiarist/Endangered Species Coordinator
Office of Plant and Pest Services
Va. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

  Phone: (804) 786-3515
  Fax number: (804) 371-7793
  Website: www.vdacs.state.va.us