In answer to my question about the recommendation against feeding
bees while treating them with MAQS, Wendy Mather <[log in to unmask]>
writes:

> Hives struggling when treated under conditions of nutritional stress
> is a phenomenon we observed

Understandable.  In my case, they're not nutritionally stressed at
all, but I was originally going to remove the supers, treat, and
feed for winter all at the same time.

> However, in-hive feeding has led to observed queen issues in our
> bees so we know to advise against it. [hive top feeders]

Can you elaborate on that, please, Wendy?  (And thanks for responding,
it's great to have a rep from the manufacturer on the list!)


Also, Adam Ritchie <[log in to unmask]> made the very interesting
observations that (a) only the very strongest singles will go up
past the strips to a top feeder, and (b) the bees seem to learn an
association between the feed/feeders and the MAQS, and become
reluctant to use the feeders.

Okay, I'm convinced, no hive-top feeding during MAQS treatment!

Adam, do you have any experience to suggest that there needs to be a
time interval between the end of treatment and the start of feeding?
If not, I'll probably harvest and start treatment next week-end, and
start feeding seven days later (removing the spent strips first).

We're having an extremely warm September here in Montreal
(record-breaking, apparently), and we're told to expect an unusually
warm Fall.  It's very pleasant, but it sure makes it trickier to
figure out when to do what.  :-)  I *think* my bees are still
finding sufficient forage, based on take-offs and landings, but I
wish I had one of those electronic traffic monitors.  Or even a
hive scale.  Someday!

Yes, I know, I'm such a geek!  ;-)


Anne.

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