thymol questions

[Rooster4473]

First, can you fog with thymol when you have supers on?

Second, my one hive is right next to the pasture. Every time I go to the hive the cows come over and watch me. (they are so nosey) The FGMO doesn't seem to bother em, but will huffing the thymol hurt the cows? Dad would kill me if I hurt the cows. I was also wondering if there would be a withdrawl period on slaughtering cow if they did breath the thymol vapors, like if you treat a cow with antibiotics?

[bjerm2]

Don't know about the cows but I would not fog with extracting suppers on. The thymol will be present in the honey and might give it a listerine (spelling?) taste.
http://www.apicultura.com/articles/us/thymol.htm
http://www.apis.admin.ch/english/pdf/BeeProducts/ApilifeVAR_e.pdf
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2003/June/Day-06/p14198.htm

Hope these sites help. Like I said don't treat the hives if they have extracting suppers with FGMO mixed in with thymol use only FGMO and you will be ok.

Dan

[JohnBeeMan]

Based upon the good Drs testing there is no Thymol residue in the honey. I have been fogging every 10-14 days all summer using the FGMO/Thymol mixture and my honey tasted great. This is my first year using the FGMO/thymol approach so as I gain more experience and confidence I may cut back on thymol during the flows.

However you will encounter some purist types that will refuse to even use thymol without honey supers.

A good goal would be getting to the point where small cell and maybe just FGMO would keep the mites in control. But I would definitely use the thymol if drop counts started to go up.

I also use oxalic acid in spring and late fall (after supers come off). I still look upon this as 'risk management' and that none of the methods come with guarantees.

[Oxankle]

I've been fogging with thymol all summer and the honey I took off two weeks ago was the best we've had in years.
Ox

[Dr. Pedro Rodriguez]

Hello folks.
Rounding up my storm damage backyard's repairs, which hopely will soon be finished at no small cost, both physical and economic.
It cost me a pretty penny to have wax and honey samples gas-chromatography tested for residues of FGMO and thymol. Both tests revealed negative for residues of either FGMO or thymol in either honey or wax. I appreciate your concerns and urge trust in endeavor used during these tests as you do for commercial products consumed daily.
Watch for reports on this year's tests soon to be published.
Best regards and God bless.
Dr. Rodriguez

[bjerm2]

Thank you for clearing that up Dr. I must have been thinking about the various strips of chemicals used in the hives.
Dan

[Rooster4473]

Thanks Doc.

Hopefully the next two storms that are building up pass you by.

Good luck