Thanks for your various replies. There is no doubt that the varroa got beyond what it should have done. I knew it was bad but had honey supers on and so treated with Apistan as soon as the supers came off - but too late I feel.
I probably should have tried something else - like icing sugar...
I discovered on Saturday that one of my hives has died. :( It had a bad varroa infestation at the end of the summer and then wing deformity problems....
So, now what? I have a brood box full of stores but its pretty ropey looking. I think a mouse may have been into it. Do I just cut out the...
I am thinking about constructing a wooden box to place over my national hive so that there is a narrow gap of air between them and the floor remains OMF. Anyone any thoughts on this? The bees would still be able to get in and out if they wanted to.
Yes, this is sort of where I was going with this. If I don't treat and they survive the winter then I am encouraging varroa resistance. Look at the analogy of rabbits and myxomatosis. Myx wiped out 90% or so of the rabbit population and we all saw the results. Horrible. However, a number...
Hi Kazmcc, I don't know that. I am surmising. However, I do know that there have been bees in that spot all summer every summer for 30 years. So I think its a fair bet that there have been long periods of continuous occupation.
As for the question of how much varroa. The drop rate is quite low...
Hi Kazmcc, I don't know that. I am surmising. However, I do know that there have been bees in that spot all summer every summer for 30 years. So I think its a fair bet that there have been long periods of continuous occupation.
As for the question of how much varroa. The drop rate is quite low...
I have one strong "feral" colony. They swarmed out of the roof of a large local country house, where there have been bees for at least thirty years. They have varroa and so I am considering treating them this autumn.
But, if they have survived thus far without treatment, why should I treat when...
I am a total newbie. I have three hives, all of different provenance and I've had them for a couple of months. I'm trying to get my head around every thing that I read but also everything I observe.
One of my hives contains small stripy bees that are very aggressive. They behave differently...
I have a hive of very aggressive bees. I had a super on top of the brood box with no QE (in order to encourage bees to draw out super foundation.) Now, with half the super drawn and the sun shining at last, I wanted to add a QE.
Went to look for queen in super - no luck (but saw eggs), so...