APIS Volume 7, Number 3, March 1989
In this issue
- More on Terramycin Use
- Bee Inspection Procedure-Permits and Registrations
- Bill Craft Dies
- Purchasing Microscopes
MORE ON TERRAMYCIN USE
Here comes the judge! How many of us have seen on television the black- robed person on the bench instruct a jury to disregard a question or answer considered not acceptable? In the same vein, I'm instructing all readers of this newsletter to disregard the information in the last issue on proper use of Terramycin (R).
I'm not the judge. The law is. The label on chemicals is the law and must be followed to the letter. Strict constructionists will not tolerate any deviation from what is printed on the label. The Terramycin Soluble Powder (R) label states:
- DUSTING DIRECTIONS: Use 1 level teaspoonful of Terramycin Soluble Powder (TSP) per ounce of powdered sugar per colony, or 1 lb TM- 10 (Terramycin) per 2 lb powdered sugar, applying 1 ounce of this mixture per colony. Apply the dust on the outer ends of the frames. Usually 3 dustings at 4-5 day intervals are required in the spring and/or fall at least 4 weeks before the main honey flow to prevent contamination of marketable honey.
- SYRUP DIRECTIONS: Use 1 level teaspoonful of Terramycin Soluble Powder (TSP) per 5 lb jar containing 1:1 sugar syrup per colony. Dissolve Terramcyin Soluble Powder in a small quantity of water before adding to syrup. Bulk feed the syrup using feeder pails or division board feeders or by filling the combs. Usually 3 applications at 4-5 day intervals are required in the spring and/or fall at least 4 weeks before the main honey flow to prevent contamination of marketable honey.
- WARNING: All Terramycin medicated supplements should be fed early in the spring or fall and consumed by the bees before main flow begins to avoid contamination of production honey. Honey or syrup stored during medication periods in combs for surplus honey should be removed following final medication of the bee colony and must not be used for human food. Honey from bee colonies likely to be infected with foulbrood should not be used for preparation of medicated syrup supplements since it may be contaminated with spores of foul brood and may result in spreading the disease.
I apparently didn't make it clear that the information presented last month came from a seminar delivered at the American Beekeeping Federation in Indianapolis. The methods described were provided by the presentors at the seminar in Indianapolis. They are not a recommendation by me. The specifics I stated are also detailed in "Terramycin Mixing and Feeding Bulletin," available from Mann Lake Supply, County Road 40 & First St., Hackensack, MN 56452, ph 800/233-6663.
Unfortunately, information in the Bulletin mentioned above is inconsistent with the label for Terramycin Soluble Powder (R) [6.4 oz package], the only product which has a printed label. To my knowledge, Terramycin Soluble Powder Concentrate (R) has no printed label, nor does TM50-D (R).
Remember the label is the law. To remain legal, strict constructionists insist there be no deviation from the words on the label and that the label be in hand when mixing and feeding the antibiotic.
The antibiotic in Terramycin (R) is oxytetracycline hydrochloride, not tetracycline. The information that TM-10 (R) and TM-50 (R), both formulated on rice hulls which bees cannot use to full potential also remains in doubt. Some veterinarians and others have questioned this interpretation.
I believe that those presenting the seminar on Terramycin (R) use in Indianapolis attempted to clear up some important points on the proper use of this product. However, the issue is very complex and filled with inconsistencies. The presentors tried to put Humpty Dumpty on a wall, but the egg fell and shattered into many pieces. The beekeeper, however, with or without help from all the kings' horses and all the kings' men, must put Humpty together again legally. This is only possible at this time through strict observance of what is printed on the label.
BEE INSPECTION--PERMITS AND REGISTRATION
The Chief Apiarist, Mr. Laurence Cutts, indicates that duplicates of permits are not allowed to accompany trucks loaded with bees. Photostatic or facsimiles (produced by FAX) are very easy to alter. They are not acceptable in legal circles. Original permits, therefore, are required for each truck load. This is also true if several trucks are used to transport bees which are lumped together on one permit. To obtain original permits, request them from your local bee inspector or from Mr. Cutts, Division of Plant industry, P.O. Box 1269, Gainesville, FL 32602, ph 904/372-3505.
There have been various questions on the registration process for beekeepers instituted in the new bee rules by the Florida Department of Plant Industry. All beekeepers must be registered. All yards do not have to be. To become a registered beekeeper, request a visit by a local bee inspector. After the inspector examines your hives, you will fill out an application to register. This will be processed in the Chief Apiarist's office and you will be assigned a unique number to identify your colonies. That's all there is to it. For up-to-date details, contact Mr. Cutts or your local inspector.
BILL CRAFT DIES
The beekeeping industry lost one of its most ardent supporters recently. On March 22, Bill Craft died. Little is known about Bill's early life before he became a beekeeper. He became a fixture in the industry, however, in the 1960s. He was a member of many bee associations in the southeast and had friends all the way from Alabama to Tennessee. Few persons were as active as Bill in association activities. He attended all Florida association meetings and most in Georgia for over two decades. He was a member of the Kentucky association and the Florida Farm Bureau's Honey Advisory Committee. Few meetings of the Tupelo and Big Bend associations lacked his presence and advice. He was also a long-time member of the American Honey Producers' Association and American Beekeeping Federation.
I will personally miss Bill for his timely contributions to the yearly Beekeepers Institute. I wish I had a tape recording of a presentation he made concerning his operation at the Cherry Lake Institute in 1983. It was full of crisp, clear cut, no nonsense information. He also had a wonderful sense of humor. His penchant for practical jokes was legion, especially when he and his sidekick, Vern Davis, got together. Bill was committed to the bee industry and also taught those of us who knew him a couple of valuable lessons. That one should never take oneself too seriously, and laughter is good medicine for much of what ails us.
MORE ON MICROSCOPES
In his newsletter, From the UC Apiaries," Dr. Eric Mussen writes about choosing a microscope. Here is his followup information to what I published last month which might be of use to those contemplating a purchase. According to Dr. Mussen, microscopes can be ordered with or without attached light sources, called "illuminators." When using stereoscopic dissecting microscopes, he prefers a focused light source that can be moved to put light where it is most effective. He has not been very happy with fluorescent units or with gooseneck lamps. But fiber optic units can cost as much as the microscope. He suggests saving money by purchasing an inexpensive highintensity lamp. However, they can get very hot. More expensive units have heat-stopping lenses.
When purchasing a compound microscope a built-in or substage light source is a must. Usually, this adds only $20 to $30 dollars to the purchase price and is worth every penny.
The following company addresses are published by Dr. Mussen to whom beekeepers might address requests:
- Carolina Biol. Supply Co. P.O. Box 187 Gladstone, OR 97027 --503/656-1641
- Fisher Scientific 2170 Martin Ave. Santa Clara, CA 95050--408/727-0660
- American Scientific Products 255 Caspian Drive Sunnyvale, CA 94089 408/743-3100
- VWR Scientific Inc. P.O. Box 7900 San Francisco, CA 94120--415/467-4100
These companies will more than likely have branches elsewhere in the U.S. which can be contacted.
Malcolm T. Sanford
Bldg 970, Box 110620
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32611-0620
Phone (904) 392-1801, Ext. 143 FAX: 904-392-0190
http://www.ifas.ufl.edu/~entweb/apis/apis.htm
INTERNET Address: MTS@GNV.IFAS.UFL.EDU
©1989 M.T. Sanford "All Rights Reserved
