Another Apiguard treatment

[EdNewman]

Hi all, I am in the last 5 days of my Apiguard treatment (6 weeks in total as per instruction). I'm still getting a daily drop of around 50. Should I buy another set of Apiguard in case the drop doesn't decrease by the end of the first six weeks?

Cheers,
Ed.

 

[sjt]

I too was wondering what to do if the varroa drop hadn't stopped at the end of treatment. I'm at 4 weeks + 1 day of Apiguard treatment and down to 9 mites today.

The first two weeks weren't too bad and then with the second application I had a huge number of varroa dropping but now gradually decreasing.

This is my first year of beekeeping and I would hate to lose my lovely bees.

 

[Swarm]

No need to worry about losing them. Around winter solstice time, on a fine day, administer oxalic acid, this should see the varroa numbers brought down considerably. Remember, to remove the varroa screen after treatment and no need to fit it for oxalic.

 

[CB008]

I was a newbie last year and had a huge problem with varroa and deformed wing virus as a result. My first Api treatement simply did not kill them all and I had a huge drop after 4 weeks still so I did a second set after teh first 4 weeks. As I started the first set in mid August time wa son my side. It certainly saved them and I drenched them in oxalic at Xmas. The other thing that you coudl try is Hiveclean which does have an effect and is certainly much more effective than icing sugar. So - I did this off my own bat and I ended up with a colony with really neglible varroa all this year

 

[Skyhook]

I wouldn't go beyond 6 weeks with thymol- give them a chance to get back to normality. It's good stuff, but it does seem to throw them a bit.

If in doubt, OA at Christmas. Last year in that position I applied apistan. I don't know what percentage it killed, but it seemed to kill another batch while the queen resumed laying at a decent rate, then I oxalic'ed for luck.

 

[MandF]

I used apiguard on my then one hive this time last year. Then OAd early december (in hindsight probably too early), thinking that was belt and braces. Come the first inspection this year - lots of dwv, and huge drop. I used api-life var, then 2 rounds of drone sacrifice, and that has got the hive (and its sister, split hive) through til now.

Im therefore not expecting apiguard to totally clear both hives, but I am hoping a later OA treatment this year will mean they start next season reasonably clean.

Anyhow, the point Im trying to make is, whatever you do now will help, plus the oxalic - and as long as they survive the winter, the situation isnt hopeless next season even if it turns out you have a heavy infestation still. I would not do 2 successive apiguard treatments (ie 4 trays/12 weeks).

 

[mitzy]

I've a similar issue. I've been applying apiguard to my 3 hives and one hive seems to be having a few more mites than the other two, but not dramatic number. But what really worries me is at the weekly checks it looks like there are a huge number of live baby mites on the floor - has anyone come across that before? I've been thinking I should treat with them with OA when the apiguard is finished - views please

 

[drstitson]

"I've been thinking I should treat with them with OA when the apiguard is finished - views please"

no point unless there is NO brood at all.

 

[Skyhook]

I've a similar issue. I've been applying apiguard to my 3 hives and one hive seems to be having a few more mites than the other two, but not dramatic number. But what really worries me is at the weekly checks it looks like there are a huge number of live baby mites on the floor - has anyone come across that before? I've been thinking I should treat with them with OA when the apiguard is finished - views please

Yes to OA, but at the right time- late Dec/early Jan, before the queen starts laying again.

 

[drstitson]

best of all use OA as excuse to excuse yourself from company of great aunts etc. over the festive period.

mine done 23rd dec and boxing day.

 

[Erichalfbee]

I wonder whether I would get away with doing one hive daily