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BEEKEEPING INFORMATION

OHIO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Division of Plant Industry - Apiculture 8995 East Main Street Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068-3399

USING TERRAMYCIN ®100D EXTENDER PATTIES

Extender patties have been around for several years. Their use has been to control both foulbrood diseases (AFB and EFB). Some recent research also has indicated extender patties help in the control of tracheal mites. However, the legalily of their use was questionable, because the manufacturer of terramycin, Pfizer, Inc., did not have instructions for making extender patties. Now Terramycin ® 1OOD has a label for making antibiotic extender patties.

The instructions must be followed carefully due to the high drug concentration of this product.

Prepare mixture:

1. TM 1OOD is highly concentrated and must be first mixed with powdered sugar.

2. Depending on the total quantity needed, follow any of the mixture ratios listed below.

TM 100D Powdered sugar

7 lbs. mix with 200 lbs.

1 lb. mixwith 29 lbs.

8 ozs. mix with 14 lbs.

4 ozs. mix with 7 lbs.

2 ozs. mix with 3-1/2 lbs.

Extender Patty Directions:

1. Use 4 ozs. (113 g.) of the mixture (TM 1OOD and powdered sugar) with approximately 6 ozs (165 g.) of vegetable shortening (Crisco) and approximately 12 ozs (330 g.) of sugar.

2. The patties can then be sandwiched between wax paper and placed on the top bars of the brood frames.

Ready to use antibiotic extender patties called Terra~Patties can also be purchased. This product is recommended for those beekeepers wanting to avoid the mixing procedures when making the patties. Any antibiotic feeding should be conducted before any nectar flows to avoid honey contamination.

Prepared by: Gordon Rudloff

State Apiarist

Ohio Department of Agriculture