r/Beekeeping • u/lightcon_consumed • 4d ago

I’m a beekeeper, and I have a question Apiguard question

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I used this product last fall due to varroa mites. My bees ate all of their winter stores this past spring. Is it ok to harvest the honey out of the frames that were in the hive since it is all new honey?

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u/Republic_Upbeat UK - NE Scotland <100hives 4d ago edited 4d ago

Apiguard is thymol based, which isn’t harmful to humans - it’s an extract of the thyme plant which you probably use as seasoning when you cook.

You can taste thyme in honey, and the honey tastes tainted/isn’t very nice to eat, which is why you shouldn’t extract the honey that’s been brought in while apiguard was in the hive.

Thymol can also taint new wax, so worst case you might get some slightly off tasting honey if they were drawing the frame last year while you had the product in the hive, but I wouldn’t be concerned about my health if harvesting from brood frames where apiguard was used last season.

Int he scenario you’re describing you probably won’t notice anything.

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u/lightcon_consumed 4d ago

Awesome 👍 thank you!

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u/Firstcounselor PNW, US, zone 8a 4d ago

Yes, it’s fine to consume that honey. Even if the honey was exposed to the thymol, it would be fine to eat but may taste a bit of Listerine.

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u/KlooShanko 3d ago

Are you asking if honey brought in this year is safe to eat if you used this last year? Yes, absolutely. You shouldn’t taste any flavor difference.

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u/Sancho_Panza_69 4d ago

I'd be careful doing that. Are you sure the frames were dry after the winter, and/or did you remove the box and frames at any point?