Apivar Now?

[Tigger]

I have varroa in one of my hives.
Is there any reason why I shouldn't treat now with Apivar and have it finished before supers go on?
Thanks.

 

[Dodge]

Fine to use, just make sure it is removed as per instructions.

 

[pargyle]

You probably have varroa in all your hives - what makes you think you have them just in this one hive ? You can use Apivar at any time - it is not temperature dependent but you have to insert the strips in the centre of the brood to get maximum efficiency and it's not a great time of the year so be interfering with your bees. Have you considered OA by sublimation, less invasive, quick acting unlike Apivar which has to be left in for 6 to 8 weeks and scraped back mid treatment.

 

[Tigger]

You probably have varroa in all your hives - what makes you think you have them just in this one hive ? You can use Apivar at any time - it is not temperature dependent but you have to insert the strips in the centre of the brood to get maximum efficiency and it's not a great time of the year so be interfering with your bees. Have you considered OA by sublimation, less invasive, quick acting unlike Apivar which has to be left in for 6 to 8 weeks and scraped back mid treatment.

Thanks. Yes I realise it's likely to be in all (three) of my hives.
There is evidence of brood rearing so OA wouldn't get the varroa in the sealed cells. Also I've never done OA but I know Apivar. Point taken about interfering but I think I'll chance the Apivar.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I have varroa in one of my hives

haven't we all?
Anyone who thinks otherwise either lives on the isle of Man or is sadly deluded

 

[Parsonage Bees]

The advice with ApiVar is leave it in for 6? 8? 6-10 weeks. Three brood cycles? Is there anything wrong with putting it in for 3-4 weeks say?

I've waited until first inspection in early April last year to put in the strips and took it out when supers were needed at the end of April.
So @Tigger I'd wait a few weeks.

#edit I think of my bees as fragile right now. Maybe. Maybe not. I leave them alone. If they are fragile they're not going to make it whatever I do. ??

 

[NiallD]

Thanks. Yes I realise it's likely to be in all (three) of my hives.
There is evidence of brood rearing so OA wouldn't get the varroa in the sealed cells. Also I've never done OA but I know Apivar. Point taken about interfering but I think I'll chance the Apivar.

What evidence have you of brood rearing ?. Its mid January and Kilkenny has just come out of a cold snap so I'd be surprised if they have started brood rearing. You've probably got 'till the end of the month . Apivar works fine but you'd have to open the hive and shove in the strips. Leave it awhile, I'd say.

 

[Erichalfbee]

I would wait. Apivar needs the bees walking over it. If they are clustered that is not going to happen.