Bee Gym (for varroa treatment)

[BernardBlack]

Anyone use the Bee Gym for dislodging varroa mites?

Just wondered if it was worth trying?

 

[Erichalfbee]

No
No
@pargyle has experimented in the past
Try it. Just treat for varroa in the normal way too

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

You'd be better off using it as a missile to throw at any varroa you spot. It certainly isn't going to save your colony from varoosis.

 

[madasafish]

A WOTAM product
Waste Of Time And Money

 

[BernardBlack]

You'd be better off using it as a missile to throw at any varroa you spot. It certainly isn't going to save your colony from varoosis.

yeah I know it’s not going to rid the hive of varroa by itself.

Just thought it might be beneficial as part of IPM. Especially with it being chemical free.

 

[BitterleyBee]

not sure if the doubters have actually tried it, they don't say. I can only say from my experience.
I have tried it and agree it's not going to be the only thing you do perhaps, but I monitored before and when installed and definite significant increase in varroa drop onto board was seen for two subsequent visits. So to me it did seem to have an effect and I've got some in each of my hives. So I think they could be part of an overall strategy to deal with varroa.

 

[Ian123]

not sure if the doubters have actually tried it, they don't say. I can only say from my experience.
I have tried it and agree it's not going to be the only thing you do perhaps, but I monitored before and when installed and definite significant increase in varroa drop onto board was seen for two subsequent visits. So to me it did seem to have an effect and I've got some in each of my hives. So I think they could be part of an overall strategy to deal with varroa.

So you know the gym was responsible for the increased drop and not a general increase in numbers and subsequent drop as the season progresses. It’s a gimmick!! Goes with those buggie entrance feeders!! I’ve not seen the line of commercial men who could save hours/pounds in reduced treatments.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Designed to gull the gullible. Nothing more

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

not sure if the doubters have actually tried it,

Not foolish enough to waste my money

 

[Ian123]

We don’t have to try every bit of snake oil, there are decent research groups, large scale beekeepers who are well worth following. The fact few are in the UK is just a reflection of uk beekeeping. The fact the bee gym doesn’t feature probably gives you a clue!

 

[Erichalfbee]

not sure if the doubters have actually tried it, they don't say. I can only say from my experience.
I have tried it and agree it's not going to be the only thing you do perhaps, but I monitored before and when installed and definite significant increase in varroa drop onto board was seen for two subsequent visits. So to me it did seem to have an effect and I've got some in each of my hives. So I think they could be part of an overall strategy to deal with varroa.

Varroa numbers are not static. They tend to rise if nothing is done

 

[user 819]

yeah I know it’s not going to rid the hive of varroa by itself.

Just thought it might be beneficial as part of IPM. Especially with it being chemical free.

I thought they were for bees to keep fit.

 

[pargyle]

I've used one .. I saw a pattern of varroa drop on the inspection board that was in the vicinity of the bee gym .. I don't think, on its own, it's going to save a hive that is heavily infested with varroa but it certainly seemed to work as the inventer intended. So - as an additional tool in the armoury against varroa ... not snake oil this one. Don't knock it until you have tried it ...

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

but you'll need about fifty in your hive for it to have even the slightest impact

 

[pargyle]

but you'll need about fifty in your hive for it to have even the slightest impact

I had two in my long deep hive - unfortunately, the bees dismantled them - I keep meaning to send them back to Stuart as he has offered to restring them but I haven't got round to it. As a passive all year round add aid to varroa mnagement I think they are OK.

 

[Monbees]

but you'll need about fifty in your hive for it to have even the slightest impact

Where does the figure of 50 come from?

 

[Erichalfbee]

I had two in my long deep hive - unfortunately, the bees dismantled them - I keep meaning to send them back to Stuart as he has offered to restring them but I haven't got round to it. As a passive all year round add aid to varroa mnagement I think they are OK.

Ah...but you're not a proper beekeeper

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Where does the figure of 50 come from?

square root of 2,500

 

[Ian123]

You could of course build the full on country club for beeshttps://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0tljtR0BkMs

 

[pargyle]

Ah...but you're not a proper beekeeper

It has been said many times .... mostly by me ! I recognise my shortcomings ... one day perhaps ? In the meantime I just struggle on trying to think like a bee