Bees on floor, some with no wings

[JonnyPicklechin]

Hi there...

I have a strong spring colony. Had first inspection: looks good. Also on weekend first good bit of sun yielded a decent spring "party" of activity. See here:

https://youtu.be/k1QiruiKlnA

However I have found quite a number of crawling and dead bees around 10-15 feet from the hive. Some seem to have no wings or small or split wings and thus signs of DWV, I would say the crawling bees are anything like the number of active flying and foraging bees, it seems like a small number.

I have not treated for varroa since last spring (Apivar) and have since acquired an oxylic "spade" and acid crystals.

The hive looks strong ...is it worth giving them a treatment now?

Any suggestions or questions to help me and the hive out.

Thanks in advance,

Jonny

 

[birdsandbees]

if there are sufficient numbers of bees with DWV for you to be concerned enough to post then check the mite load on your inspection boards, if you have noticeable mite drop then if it were me I'd fire up the Vape! but bare in mind that you will now have considerable capped brood so repeat treatments five days apart will be required to get the mites that are within sealed cells.

 

[JonnyPicklechin]

Yes....ive had a look and there are good amount of mites (there seems to be a concentration of drops down one particular "strip").

How many "5 day treatments" to aim for? Around a months worth to be sure ie should sort out the "generational" infection possibilities?

Ive not used the Vape Any top tips? Do I need to put blankets or something under neath the hive? Obviously block the entrance. Any suggested time of day given the time of year?

Many thanks.

 

[Beefriendly]

Some of how you might vape depends on the type of hive you are using. If Poly with the pan type vaporizer go underneath open mesh and possibly increase amount of apibioxal to 3-4 grams, as quite a bit will condense on the open mesh floor. Make sure you have drop board in and seal entrance plus stand upwind unless you have safety masks....and even with these it's best to stand up wind. You may need to fashion some sort of holder for the pan to sit in that slides underneath the floor. I'm sure others can (and will ) give you more advice on making these.

If wooden hives; are you on solid floors or open mesh? If Open seal with varroa tray and place pan in through entrance and seal around it. If worried about scorching lower frames then go underneath.

Time of day...would suggest anytime on a day when the beees are not flying or early or late on a very warm day. Although I wouldn't get too hung up over timing, the more important bit is get rid of as the varroa.
Suggest 4 vapes at 5 day intervals, but be sensible if you have a flow going towards the end of the treatment remove supers.

 

[birdsandbees]

EDIT
posted without sight of Bee friendlys' post

use the forum search engine to find Oxalic Vaporiser posts, probably easier that way, if it were me I'd repeat three times at five day intervals then monitor.
as you will read and probably already know, the vapour can be deadly so you must wear a P3 type mask and try to stay up wind, I block off gaps with rags when treating to reduce leaks.
I cant recall the recommended temperature but I treated mine at about 10 degrees in the morning before they got actively flying with no ill effects.
no need to remove supers as it will not adversely affect stores.

 

[WoodenBeam]

Dare i suggest MAQS?

 

[Curley]

Dare i suggest MAQS?

Apparently so!

 

[Erichalfbee]

I'd go with OAV
It's a method I've used for a few years and I'm comfortable with it. Not intrusive and queen goes on laying.
Dislke MAQS due to previous queen losses

 

[JonnyPicklechin]

All...thanks for the suggestions. I am staying with the OAV method.

I did my first treatment yesterday on a two brood colony with 2g. I shall repeat next Sunday and carry on as described at 5 day intervals.. Will be sure to keep you informed as it will be useful feedback I am sure.

 

[Swarm]

I suggest you increase the amount to 3g as recommended dose is 2.5g.