New research to accomplish what?

[BjornBee]

Further testing and improvements have been mentioned on the FGMO procedure. I am asking as to what goal these additional tests are being performed?

I was to understand that Dr. R had no mites using the previous mentioned outline in using FGMO. Now I hear about thymol being added to the FGMO procedure. Will this limit the number of times that fogging is needed? Is elimination of either fogging or the cords sought after? Is there a cost savings by adding additional ingredients?

I understand that research is continual by nature, but unless another direction is being taken, are we not just tinkering and complicating a process already touted to be 100%? I had read about failures due to changes in the procedure in past posts and except adding thymol, I would think any other changes would have lethal effects on the process. Other than simplifying the already 100% procedure, the question would be why?

[Dr. Pedro Rodriguez]

Hello folks.
I agree with what you are saying 100 %.
However, I think that some may have missed one of my lasts posts. In it I said that I had added thymol to accelerate the rate of mite death. My reasoning is that FGMO as it has been used so far "provoked" slow death of the mites by asphyxia and by depriving them of some of their biological processes. Thymol is toxic to mites, hence I am looking for a synergistic effect, that is, increased effectiveness when adding the effect of FGMO and thymol. I hoped that if this goal was attained, the procedure could become less labor intensive and thus increasing not only its efficiency but also its cost-effectiveness. Please bear in mind that I am still working on this trial. I need to gather more data in order to be able to draw conclusions.
At this point and time, it would seem that the expected goal will be achieved.
And yes, I would welcome the day that others may engage in meaningful efforts to improve FGMO's known benefits. Spending time, effort and money with less than meaningful trials, would not accomplish anything but confusion.
My protocol is sound and capable of producing desirable effects. The corner stone has been laid, so to speak. Work on it to strengthen its potential.
Yes, most of our technology has started from basic ideas which others have improved to accomplish unthinkable feats. I hope and pray that the day will come when FGMO may reach somewhere near that point that every beekeeper in the world is looking for. Not a pannacea, but a real useful, economic tool.
Best regards.
Dr. Rodriguez

[Axtmann]

Here is a recipe from a German bee institute.

Thymol evaporation:

Time to treat the colonies = end of July till October even when brood and Temperatures between 10ºC/50ºF and 25ºC/77ºF not under or over.

After 1 to 2 days the hive is filled up with vapor and Varroa mites starts falling of up to 10 days.

How to treat the colonies

Make Thymol crystals to powder with an electric coffee grinder. Warning not in the house, maybe in the garage or outside.

Fill the powder in little plastic bags 1 – 1.5 gram. You need 0.25 gram per full frame and 1 – 1.5 gram per normal colony.
Up to 2 gram for a very strong colony.

Put the powder on top of the frames and don’t open the hives during the treatment time. There are approx 4 – 5 treatments necessary 5 to 7 days apart.

With an overdose or to high temperatures bees living the hive.

When using Thymol end of summer or early spring there is no residual in honey.

Warning: don’t inhale the smell, after contact with skin wash immediately.

Result: very good 90 – 95%
=========
Is a second ingredient like FGMO on top of this treatment necessary to reach the 100%??

[Juandefuca]

Hi Axtman
Since I am not in the business of doing "scientific " research as the protocol of the professionals ,I rely on those which do . ( Always with a grain of salt) .
Recent research opinions does not say to eradicate ALL mites with the hive . It is not recommended since the bees by genetic reasons will adopt , at least to some degree . to the mite and either attack them as a foreign substance or simply by learned hygienic behavior ,which would be lost when all mites are eliminated . Therefore we should tolerate a managable amount of mites within the colony . This feature is desirable as long as the whole mite situation will not evaporate ,which most likely will be the case since Apis Ceransa deals with them who knows how long and survived .
I apply FGMO since exclusively since Jan 2000 , I find such behavior developing . The question of the SHB is another matter. In this environment they have not arrived yet and bides us some time to find out what others do .
It looks that Dr R is on a good track as he is with FGMO .
JDF

[This message has been edited by Juandefuca (edited September 12, 2003).]

[Ian]

>>1 – 1.5 gram. You need 0.25 gram per full frame and 1 – 1.5 gram per normal colony.
With an overdose or to high temperatures bees living the hive.

When using Thymol end of summer or early spring there is no residual in honey.

Axtmann

any harmful effects of this substance to the bee colony health?
what is the price / gram?
what makes it affect the mites and not hte bees?
where can i get info on studdies of this treatment?
Thanks

Ian

[clintonbemrose]

Thank you Dr. R! Keep up the good work. I know it has helped me and all who have tried it serously.
Clint


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Clinton Bemrose
just South of Lansing Michigan

[Axtmann]

Ian this is the FGMO site you will find the answer for Thymol under “diseases and pests”