Hi all... I have a few questions, and I hope you more experienced beekeepers can help me out! I will be starting with two colonies this spring; one is a full-blown hive that a retired beekeeper is giving me (he's downsizing the number of hives he has), and the other is a package of Buckfasts I'll be getting the first week of April. I plan to requeen the established colony (a swarm that this gentleman caught last fall) with a Buckfast queen when I get my package. I've been building all of my own equipment (that is, hammering my supers and frames together) over the past two weeks (and nursing a hammered finger) and am very excited about getting started! A question about medication: what's the best way to mix Terramycin into patties? All of the directions say to mix a 3 lb. can of Crisco with 3 lbs. of powdered sugar along with the small package of Terramycin. However, what is the best method of mixing? Should I just throw it all in the bowl of my Kitchenaid mixer (would that be safe as long as I wash everything thoroughly afterwards?), or does one melt the shortening first? I have also seen recipes for the Terra-patties that call for granulated sugar. Is one type of sugar better than another? I plan to feed the package medicated (Fumidil) sugar syrup upon arrival; should I also feed the established colony Fumidil as well, even if they have honey stores and have been out foraging? What about feeding pollen substitute to the established hive (I have already planned to feed the package with Bee Pro)? Do I need to be concerned with robbing (the stronger hive vs. my new package)? I plan to use Apistan in the spring (just to get started) and then FGMO this summer, and I'll report my results with that. I don't know when I'll be getting the established hive from my beekeeper friend (with the crazy weather we've been having here in California, who knows?) but I am fairly sure this is going to happen within the next two weeks and would like some advice. I enjoy the discussions on the Bee-L, and thanks to many of you, such as Andy, Joel Govostes, and Dr. Rodriguez, I have learned a great deal, and have valued the cyber-mentoring I have received. Any help and additional advice would be very much appreciated... Mary Caldwell Benicia, CA [log in to unmask]