Heather and feeding

[Floyd]

Heather is my main crop and I shall be away until the start of October.

Is it still possible to feed 2:1 in October or will I have to rely on just Fondant?

Aso do you have to add Thymol to the syrup even if there is no sign of Nosema?

Many thanks once again

[The Drone Ranger]

Hi Floyd
Where are you ?
Here in Angus October is way too late for liquid feed
Thymol stops sugar syrup fermenting in the combs if they don't get it capped
They might not need feeding after the heather if the broodbox is full of honey
Fondant would be the only additional feed option

[Floyd]

Drone,

I am in Wester-Ross probably 100 + miles North from you. Looks like my bees will be getting the expensive feed option then or I forfeit the small gain that I get each year. However that will not keep the wife happy, as a little Honey is at least some return on the "things" I "have to buy!

[The Drone Ranger]

Hi Floyd
I have never tried this but could you take the supers off for a couple of days put liquid feed on in a rapid feeder to stock the broodbox with some stores (no thymol though)
Then put the supers back
There is a fair risk that some of the syrup will find its way into your supers as well afterwards
But if you are not selling the honey that won't necessarily be a complete disaster
If there is a good flow on they probably wont spend much time moving the stores around