ARS | Publication request: COMPATIBILITY OF CO-APPLICATION OF DISEASE CONTROL PATTIES WITH SUPPLEMENTAL SYRUP

Submitted to: American Bee Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: March 20, 2004
Publication Date: July 5, 2004
Citation: Elzen, P.J., Cox, R.L. 2004. Compatibility of co-application of disease control patties with supplemental syrup. American Bee Journal. 144(7):517-518.

Interpretive Summary: Beekeepers must face rising labor costs, as do most agricultural producers in the U.S. today. In the present paper, we report that wo management practices in colony maintenance can be combined and so save time, effort, and expenses. These practices are co-applying liquid sugar syrup feed with patties for disease control. Co-applicationi of these two hive supplemental sources did not interfere with each other in terms of bee acceptance of either, indicating it is safe to combine the practices.

Technical Abstract: Co-application of American-foulbrood patties with supplemental syrup feeding had no negative effect on patty consumption. Rather, patty consumption significantly increased with co-application of syrup, compared with colonies which received patties alone. Such a common management practices as described thus confirms advisability of combining disease control and feeding tasks, saving beekeeper time, effort, and money.