Apigaurd in 1st year nuc - Ask Extension
Hello again, I just wanted to thank you for your incredible response to my questions. In my follow up research I see that Thymol is best for late su...
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Apigaurd in 1st year nuc #780716
Asked January 24, 2022, 11:49 AM EST
Hello again, I just wanted to thank you for your incredible response to my questions. In my follow up research I see that Thymol is best for late summer after honey is removed. I am planning on starting with nucs this spring, and may not harvest honey this year to keep it as stores for the hive. Should I still remove the honey stores when I apply the Thymol, then return the supers later? Or do we only need to remove honey supers that are destined for human consumption?
Lenawee County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello,
Good question. Thymol-based treatments like Apiguard and Api Life Var aren't approved for use with honey supers on. Beekeepers are not allowed to apply the treatment when honey intended for human consumption are on the hive. You can leave honey that is intended for the bees in the hive when you apply the treatments.
If you decide to leave extra honey on your colonies for winter, I suggest treating them as "brood boxes" and marking them to differentiate them from honey supers (that are intended for human consumption).
I hope this explanation helps. Feel free to reach out with more questions
Happy beekeeping!
