The cooler weather

Now the weather is cooling off. I have finished my Api Guard Treatments. Some beekeepers who have put on the Api Guard late are finding the gel trays not being emptied of all the gel. This is because of the cooler weather. It was best to get this on by Sept 1st. The later treatments may not be as effective but can still do some good.
With the cooler temperatures it is better if the ApiGuard is put directly on top of the cluster. If you are in a two or three deep hive, the ApiGuard and 1-1/2"shim should now be placed under the top box. This placement will be a little warmer near the cluster and the odor should be more effective. Feeding is still going on. It is important to get this done as soon as possible. Feeding spurs brood laying. If the feeding carries on into late October, brood rearing may be present in the colony into late Nov. or even into Dec. This late brood rearing makes the bees consume more of their winter food stores that they may need in late winter.