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Replacement for Pfizer TM-25 Terramycin

Pfizer discontinued the production of TM-25 antibiotic which has been widely used for control of American Foul Brood in honeybees.

Most local farm supply stores now sell oxytetracyline as a liquid (such as Pfizer's Liquamycin LA-200). Each milliliter contains 200 milligrams of oxytetracycline. A small syringe can be used to add 1 milliter of the Liquamycin to 1/2 gallon of 1:1 syrup. Apply 3 applications at 4 - 5 day intervals in the spring and/or fall at least 4 weeks before the honey flow begins to prevent contamination of production honey. This is a better source of medication for the hobby beekeeper and is much easier to prepare in a sugar syrup than the TM-343 listed next.

Old Posting: The following procedure should be used only by beekeepers with large apiaries since a package of TM-343 produces medication for a large number of hives.

The product you can now use is called TM-343 soluble powder, which is still the same chemical as TM-25 (oxytetracycline HCl), except that it is more than 10 times stronger than TM-25. Since most hobby beekeepers do not have a large number of hives, the method of diluting this antibiotic is very important. TM-343 is sold in 4.78 ounce packages, which I have found online from Amazon.com for $9.99 plus $6.99 S+H. This may seem expensive compared to the price of TM-25 that I previously purchased at the Maury County Farmers Co-op., but the material has shelf life of 4 years and when following the dilution instructions below, will make enough solution for 3 applications to 150 colonies.

It is recommended to add 200mg of TM-343 to 5 pounds (1/2 gallon) of a 1:1 sugar solution to each colony in 3 separate applications at 4-5 day intervals.

To obtain this concentration, I recommend the following procedure:

Dissolve 1 level teaspoon of TM-343 in 1 quart of water and mix thoroughly. This is enough TM-343 to make 14 batches, or enough for the complete feeding of 3-1/2 colonies. Now add 4-1/2 tablespoons of this mixture to each half gallon of syrup. I refrigerate the unused mixture between applications and store the TM-343 is a Zip-lock bag in a refrigerator.

To make a smaller batch, dissolve 1 level 1/4 teaspoon in 2-1/2 gallons of syrup.

Small Hive Beetle Trap Juice:

Mix 1 cup of water, 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup sugar and a ripe banana peel. Blend as needed.

Bait for Beetle Barns

We are using a cockroach bait in the Beetle Barns for hive beetles. The product is Maxforce FC Magnum produced by Bayer that can be purchased online at www.domyownpestcontrol.com . The 33 gram syringe will fill about 50 traps. The syringe sells for $14.99 with free shipping. If you pool your order with other beekeepers, you can get it for $12.25 per syringe (2 syringe order), or $9.99 each if you order 3 or more.

Feeding Sugar Syrup:

Under warm conditions, a thick sugar (67%) syrup can be applied.
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Thick syrup (67%) is less stimulative than thinner (50%) syrup
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for spring feeding use a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water (50%)

for fall feeding use a 2:1 ratio (67%)
to stimulate brood rearing use a 1:2 ratio (33%)

For 1 gallon of 50% syrup, mix 3 quarts of sugar and 2 quarts of water.

For 1 gallon of 67% syrup, mix 3.5 quarts of sugar and 1.75 quarts of water.

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