Thymol is quite popular in beekeeping. Use it for the treatment and prevention of various diseases in bees. The drug is used in various ways - in each case there is a certain dosage regimen and the frequency of treatment. It is necessary to use Timol, observing safety measures.
Composition, release form
Thymol is based on the substance of the same name. It is a monoterpene phenol and a hydroxy derivative of cimol. This element contains some essential oils (including thyme), and you can get it from them by rectification.
The drug is available in the form of a white powder or crystals. In beekeeping, it is sold in dense plastic or foil bags or bottles made of glass or plastic. Timol is produced for bees in various dosages - 3, 5, 8, 10, 500 g.
Thymol has a burning taste and a specific smell. The product is practically insoluble in water, but the solution can be prepared using a hot liquid (sugar syrup).
Pharmacological properties
Thymol has a whole range of useful properties. The following effects are important for beekeeping:
- tick-borne;
- antibacterial;
- antiparasitic;
- fungicidal;
- anti-inflammatory.
Mostly Timol is used to control ticks of varroa. After treatment with the drug, they disappear, and the fertility of the females decreases. The tool is also used for the prevention of nosematosis, decay, ascospherosis.
Rules for use in beekeeping, dosages
Apply Timol in beekeeping at certain times of the year. This is the beginning or mid-spring, when the bees fly out, and autumn, when the bee colonies grow.
Apply Timol in various ways:
- Dry spray. It is necessary to calculate the volume of the drug for this treatment by the number of streets - for each 0.25 g of Timol is needed. Spray it on the upper bars of the frame. It is necessary to carry out two treatments with a weekly interval. If the bees are severely affected, then effectively treat the hive three times. The interval between treatments in this case should be 4 days. After the last treatment, wait 2-3 days and place several bags of the drug in the hive.
- Pour the drug into small cloth bags - the optimal size is 10x10 cm. Use no more than 15 g of the product per bee colony. Place the prepared bag over the nest next to the back or side of the hive. After a few days, you need to check the condition of the drug - stretch the bag with it, if the amount is not enough, then add the powder. In total, the bag must be kept for 2 weeks. This method is especially popular with varroatosis or its increased risk (the appearance of a drone brood).
- Add Timol to Kandy. Enough 1 g of the drug per 1 kg of such top dressing. The product must be thoroughly mixed with candi and given to bees at 40 g per frame. As a prophylaxis, such top dressing is given once. For medicinal purposes, this composition is given to insects three times, maintaining an interval of a week.
- Timol is also added to sugar syrup. To prepare this top dressing, you must first pour the drug into hot water, and then add sugar. 25 g of water need 3 g of medicine. Ready top dressing is given in the evening at 0.1 l per frame. The procedure should be repeated 3-4 times, maintaining an interval of 3-4 days.
It is recommended to give Timol to bees when the ambient temperature is 7-27 degrees. This temperature regime is important in order for the drug to be most effective.
After treatment with Timol in various ways for 2 days, it is not recommended to open the hive. Such a measure is necessary in order to maintain the most effective concentration of the drug.
The drug for humans can be dangerous, so when using it it is important to take care of protective measures - a tight coat, rubber gloves, safety glasses, and a gauze mask. After carrying out the necessary work, clothes should be washed, hands and face thoroughly washed with soap and water. If the product gets on the skin, immediately rinse it with cool water in large quantities.
Contraindications, restrictions on use, side effects
Subject to the recommended dosages and precautions, Timol has no contraindications in beekeeping. It is not recommended to give the drug if the bee family is too weak or in the hive there are less than 3-4 streets.
For humans, getting Timol on the skin or mucous membranes is fraught with irritation. If the product enters in large quantities into the blood, then heart paralysis and even death are possible.
It is unacceptable to combine Timol with camphor or menthol. The simultaneous use of Salol is also prohibited.
For bees, the drug is harmless if given in recommended doses. Thymol does not pose a risk to brood, does not affect the taste and quality of beekeeping products (honey, propolis, beef, etc.).
The use of Timol in any way should be completed at least a week before pumping out honey. If this condition is met, the resulting product can be used on a common basis - it is completely safe.
Shelf life and storage conditions
Keep the drug in its original packaging, without violating its integrity. The storage location must be dry and protected from ultraviolet radiation. Children are not allowed to access the drug, store it next to food and medicine for humans.
It is important to observe the optimal storage temperature - 2-25 degrees. Subject to all conditions, the drug can be used for 2 years.
Thymol is an effective drug used in beekeeping mainly for the treatment and prevention of varroatosis. You can use the medicine in different ways - the dosage depends on the option chosen. It is important to remember the storage conditions of the drug and precautions when working with it.