Pfizer discontinued the production of TM-25 antibiotic which has been widely used for control of American Foul Brood in honeybees.

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Old Posting:  The following procedure should be used only by beekeepers with large apiaries since a package of TM-343 produces medication for a large number of hives. 

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The product you can now use is called TM-343 soluble powder, which is still the same chemical as TM-25 (oxytetracycline HCl), except that it is more than 10 times stronger than TM-25.  Since most hobby beekeepers do not have a large number of hives, the method of diluting this antibiotic is very important.  TM-343 is sold in 4.78 ounce packages, which I have found online from Amazon.com for $9.99 plus $6.99 S+H.  This may seem expensive compared to the price of TM-25 that I previously purchased at the Maury County Farmers Co-op., but the material has shelf life of 4 years and when following the dilution instructions below, will make enough solution for 3 applications to 150 colonies.    

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I have always applied the TM-25 in a sugar solution in a springtime feeding.

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It is recommended to add 200mg of TM-343 to 5 pounds (1/2 gallon) of a  1:1 sugar solution to each colony in 3 separate applications at 4-5 day intervals.

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To obtain this concentration, I recommend the following procedure:

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Dissolve 1 level teaspoon of TM-343 in 1 quart of water and mix thoroughly.  This is enough TM-343 to make 14 batches, or enough for the complete feeding of  3-1/2 colonies.  Now add 4-1/2 tablespoons of this mixture to each half gallon of syrup.  I refrigerate the unused mixture between applications and store the TM-343 is a Zip-lock bag in a refrigerator.

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^{NOTE: The Maury County Farmer's Co-op sells 6.4 ounce packages of Duramycin 10 for $4.95. This material is tetracylcine HCl, which is not oxytetracycline HCl, and is not approved for use with bees.  Tractor Supply also sells the Duramycin 10.}

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Small Hive Beettle Trap Juice:

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Mix 1 cup of water, 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup sugar and a ripe banana peel.  Blend as needed.

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Feeding Sugar Syrup:

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Under warm conditions, a thick sugar (67%) syrup can be applied.
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Thick syrup (67%) is less stimulative than thinner (50%) syrup
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      for spring feeding use a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water (50%)

      for fall feeding use a 2:1 ratio (67%)
      to stimulate brood rearing use a 1:2 ratio (33%)

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      For 1 gallon of 50% syrup, mix 3 quarts of sugar and 2 quarts of water.

      For 1 gallon of 67% syrup, mix 3.5 quarts of sugar and 1.75 quarts of water.

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