Some of you know I'm starting over with a new hive this spring after losing the first one this winter to starvation.
Just to be sure I get started right this time, what is the general consensus on which medications are advised in the first few weeks? I have some Apiguard foil packs left over from last season. Also have some Fumagilin-B which I never used. I've read this is recommended in spring for newly installed package bees. I guess part of the question is what/when do you medicate for preventive purposes, or do you always wait until there's actually a problem to treat?
Last summer I replaced the solid bottom board with a screened one after finding some (not a lot) mites, so I presume I should simply start out this time with the screened type? In winter I placed a sheet of plexiglass underneath the screened board to seal off the bottom of the hive from cold drafts, and in place of the original inner cover I used an "All-Season" one, leaving the foam sheet in (being new to the forum, I'm not allowed to post an image link, but many of you probably know the Honey Run Apiaries product I'm talking about).