Asian Hornets...

[Malcolm B.]

Does red mite succumb to OA sublimation?

I've not used oxalic acid fumes on the bees - yet! However, that will happen very soon.
I do however use it in solution as a wood bleach in boat building/restoration.

I would guess that the OA smoke being shot out of a nozzle would penetrate the cracks and crevices - natural splits in the wooden perches etc.
Perhaps the wafting of the fumes from a simple heated tray may not be as easy to direct to the hiding places.

Unfortunately, the mite can multiply very quickly. OA may knock them back but they need something to deter multiplying.

I've tried the "Red Stop" solution in their drinking water. This apparently makes the chicken's blood unpalatable to the mites. It's a complicated procedure made worse by us having multiple drinking sites. I didn't notice any effect.

Regular dusting with D.E. certainly keeps the mite in check for weeks at a time for us.

I've often wondered how harmful D.E. could be to bees if they either had to walk through a light film of D,E. - or there was a very light dusting over the brood box frames.

If there was a tray below an open mesh floor, with a layer of D.E. I would imagine any varroa mite would be instantly damaged by that.

Does anybody have an comments?

 

[Sutty]

There's a previous conversation on DE somewhere on here.
I'd be concerned exposing bees to DE could injure their feet and antennae.
I think the varroa mites that fall through the mesh are probably mainly dead or dying already, not sure how many fall then climb back, but a smear of eg vaseline to make the board sticky would be an alternative.
Sublimation happens pretty quickly with the existing devices I know of so directing into crevices not really feasible (big sudden cloud of oxalic in open air as I found accidentally!). That's not to say a suitable device couldn't perhaps be constructed.

 

[Gilberdyke John]

I don't think it would get into the crevices they hide in when not feeding on the birds. I could try painting likely crevices with a solution & let it dry.

Maybe the surface coating left behind by sublimation would deal with the red mites in the same manner as with varroa when the mites come out of the crevices?

 

[Sutty]

Maybe the surface coating left behind by sublimation would deal with the red mites in the same manner as with varroa when the mites come out of the crevices?

If so painting with a concentrated solution and drying should work too & be more localised to minimise the chickens' exposure to oxalic acid.
Tempted to give it a go - there is one spot they always congregate I could try it out on!

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

if in doubt, just slap some creosote on

 

[Sutty]

if in doubt, just slap some creosote on

Yes, did that but it's effect is wearing off a year or two later. Has to be the old-fashioned type of creosote though, the modern alternatives are no good. Thankfully I have a small stock.
The mites still infest the bedding/wood shavings I use.
Burning Sulphur at clean out time seems to help, I also incinerate the used straw & wood shavings to avoid spreading the damn things!

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Has to be the old-fashioned type of creosote though, the modern alternatives are no good. Thankfully I have a small stock.

still available but only in larger 25L drums

 

[Sutty]

still available but only in larger 25L drums

Only to "professionals" - well I am, though possibly not what they meant

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Only to "professionals" - well I am, though possibly not what they meant

most poultry supply people will sell you it. And any farmer's Co-op

 

[Malcolm B.]

if in doubt, just slap some creosote on

I agree, but unfortunately in England the few places that stock it, sell it "For Professional Use Only."
I've tried to buy it only to be told that I have to show proof that I'm "in the trade".
What that 'trade' is, they didn't say.
Before I moved here I had found one one two places that would sell it to me, but most outlets prefer to sell that water based rubbish.
I've not yet found a supply of proper creosote yet where I live now.

Malcolm B.

EDITED TO SAY - I have now found a supplier! - and just placed an order.

 

[JamezF]

Oh gawd... Posted yesterday on FB by the VP (I think that's the position he now holds; he was chair) of Somerset BKA...

"Please be extremely vigilant. A large amount of Asian hornet nests have been found on Kent recently, with true numbers exceeding 50. There have been 2 nests on Portland, Dorset and 2 in Greater London.

A new queen Asian hornet can cover the distance from Portland to parts of Somerset in a day."

"the cases have been understated. I have this on pretty good authority"

And from another officer:

"Defra/NBU have been understating the case for a while, presumably to stop any panicking."

But they're refusing to name their sources or back the assertions up with any facts. Really, really unhelpful...

James

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Sounds like the usual bullshine generated by those who would really like to see an AH invasion as it makes them feel important.
What an aaaaaabsolute balloon

 

[Pembroke]

Oh gawd... Posted yesterday on FB by the VP (I think that's the position he now holds; he was chair) of Somerset BKA...

"Please be extremely vigilant. A large amount of Asian hornet nests have been found on Kent recently, with true numbers exceeding 50. There have been 2 nests on Portland, Dorset and 2 in Greater London.

A new queen Asian hornet can cover the distance from Portland to parts of Somerset in a day."

"the cases have been understated. I have this on pretty good authority"

And from another officer:

"Defra/NBU have been understating the case for a while, presumably to stop any panicking."

But they're refusing to name their sources or back the assertions up with any facts. Really, really unhelpful...

James

Well a quick search on the web show numerous stories in various online newspapers, all the articles read the same so they've come from one source. The only confirmed case they all report with photos of the insect and the nest are from a beekeeper in Thamesmead.

There is also a guardian article that lists sightings but no further details. One news report (Time Out) calls them huge?

Here you go knock yourself out:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...ct-garden-amid-dramatic-rise-presence-UK.html
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/env...e-uk-thamesmead-beekeeping-bees-b1102132.html
https://www.timeout.com/london/news...n-spotted-in-london-for-the-first-time-082423
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/worl...ndon-as-rapid-rise-sparks-concern/ar-AA1fGFa7
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/17/rise-asian-hornet-sightings-uk-bees

 

[ericbeaumont]

cases have been understated

I heard similar, with source unidentified and reason unknown. The opposite should be the case: open, accurate reporting, assistance from beekeepers and dispensation from prosecution and a prison sentence if AH release is necessary.

 

[JamezF]

I heard similar, with source unidentified and reason unknown.

Allegedly the information about there having been more than 50 nests found in Kent comes from "a Kentish beekeeper", though perhaps someone misheard. Or maybe they're west of the Medway, otherwise they'd be "a beekeeper of Kent".

James

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

source unidentified and reason unknown.

Allegedly

so all surmise, hearsay and rumour and probably from the usual suspect - just trying for their few minutes of fame

I have this on pretty good authority

The usual statement when the 'fact' is uncorroborated and from an unaccredited source AKA unsubstantiated gossip

the information about there having been more than 50 nests found in Kent comes from.....

I suppose It's easy enough for them to hide in that vast unpopulated wilderness

 

[Curly green finger's]

I have found that regular dusting with diatomaceous earth around all the little nooks and crannies they like to hide in is good at keeping them under control. The D.E. particles I understand, cuts and damages the mite. Also, the huts get regular cleaning and then a soaking with a strong chlorine solution before washing

I've not used oxalic acid fumes on the bees - yet! However, that will happen very soon.
I do however use it in solution as a wood bleach in boat building/restoration.

I would guess that the OA smoke being shot out of a nozzle would penetrate the cracks and crevices - natural splits in the wooden perches etc.
Perhaps the wafting of the fumes from a simple heated tray may not be as easy to direct to the hiding places.

Unfortunately, the mite can multiply very quickly. OA may knock them back but they need something to deter multiplying.

I've tried the "Red Stop" solution in their drinking water. This apparently makes the chicken's blood unpalatable to the mites. It's a complicated procedure made worse by us having multiple drinking sites. I didn't notice any effect.

Regular dusting with D.E. certainly keeps the mite in check for weeks at a time for us.

I've often wondered how harmful D.E. could be to bees if they either had to walk through a light film of D,E. - or there was a very light dusting over the brood box frames.

If there was a tray below an open mesh floor, with a layer of D.E. I would imagine any varroa mite would be instantly damaged by that.

Does anybody have an comments?

I’ve thought about using oa vape in our chicken shed we use earth dusting regularly when we clean them out , it does help but not for long .
Can anyone tell me the life cycle of red mite ?
Perhaps multiple vapes at intervals would be better?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

doubt it will do the chickens much good

 

[Sutty]

I’ve thought about using oa vape in our chicken shed we use earth dusting regularly when we clean them out , it does help but not for long .
Can anyone tell me the life cycle of red mite ?
Perhaps multiple vapes at intervals would be better?

Depends on temperature - in warm weather I think it's about a week from egg to adult. Considering a mature female can lay over a hundred eggs its not surprising the population can explode!

 

[Gilberdyke John]

doubt it will do the chickens much good

Fortunately we have a few sheds so could empty a shed for treatment