>... I first heard about the gorging technique from Roy Thurber a
> beekeeper who had an insatiable desire for knowledge about bees.
Glad you mentioned Roy. Made me get out his book, "Bee Chats, Tips and
Gadgets". A most fascinating book, I must say.
> He showed me some research from New Zealand about 20 years ago in which
> the data indicated that by gorging bees three times ten days apart with
> enough syrup to get the bees all wet each time (about four cups for 12
> combs of bees in the spring = 12 cups) the Nosema level in a colony was
> reduced the same amount as if a gallon (16 cups) had been fed using a
> feeder.
Hmmm. Not much of a saving -- especially if travel and labour is figured
in. (I have frame feeders in both brood boxes year round and a power
feeder-filling machine).
Glad to hear that there is some research behind this though. I suppose
the big advantage is that not all hives will take syrup from a feeder
-- especially those which are most in need of medication?
BTW, Roy also advocated feeding a few drops of fumigillan medicated syrup
to queens that arrive in the mail, as I recall.
> My observations of treated and untreated colonies in wet springs is that
> treated colonies have more bees (2-5 combs) by April than untreated
> colonies.
We usually have pretty dry springs, but I guess I should get with the
program.
> Here we can get a private lab to check a bee sample for $25.00.
Actually I have a microscope and the calibrated slide for counting spores.
It's an easy process, actually. I'm just lazy I guess. My friend Eric
has been suggesting we do a few tests and some treatment experiments this
spring and I think I will. I have $1000 of fumigillan I bought the other
year and didn't use. Stupid me! (I guess)
I suppose it's like any IPM approach: the first step is to measure to see
if there is really a problem, no matter whether it seems obvious or is not
visible. I'll have to do so -- and quit assuming.
> Let's talk economics... Now if feeding Fumidil-B results in just two
> more combs of bees, or two pounds of bees (weighing approximately one
> pound per comb at 55F.), then what is the cost of a two pound package?
> And if you want a rapid start in the spring, is a $1.70 investment
> worth the return?
Too obvious for most of us, I guess. The thing is that nosema is
invisible. I know the extension people -- including yourself -- have been
hitting on this nosema thing pretty hard and can't figure why beekeepers
won't use Fumigillan regularly when they seem eager to buy exotic oils
etc. and rush out to put everything but the kitchen sink in their hives.
Thanks for keeping on banging away. I think the message is finally
getting through. I'm going to test this year.
Honest. This time I'm going to do it...
Allen
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