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.

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.    

I have always applied the TM-25 in a sugar solution in a springtime feeding.

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.

^{NOTE: The Maury County Farmer's Co-op sells 6.4 ounce packages of Duramycin 10 for $4.95. This material is tetracylcine HCl, which is not oxytetracycline HCl, and is not approved for use with bees.  Tractor Supply also sells the Duramycin 10.} 

WHAT'S BLOOMING THIS MONTH? 

Click on the link below to look at the Nashville Area Beekeepers Association website to see what is blooming any month of the year.

                                                      www.hivetool.com/naba/blooming.htm

FEEDING SUGAR SYRUP

Sugar Syrup -What to Feed--What to Feed-

Under warm conditions, a thick sugar (67%) syrup can be applied.

Thick syrup (67%) is less stimulative than thinner (50%) syrup.

Thus, the sugar percentage a beekeeper chooses is dictated by the goal:

1:1 ratio sugar to water (50%) -spring feeding

2:1 ratio sugar to water (67%) -fall feeding

1:2 ratio sugar to water (33%) -to stimulate brood rearing

Sugar Syrup -How to Mix

50%: Amount of syrup desired ÷ 1.575 = Amount of water &
amount of sugar

67%: Amount of syrup desired ÷ 2.26 = Amount of water. Multiply
water amount by 2 = sugar amount

33%: Amount of syrup desired ÷ 1.32 = Amount of water. Multiply
water amount by 0.5 = sugar amount

contributed by Jim Primus