Feed/treat ?

[Dadnlad]

Last of the supers off now and 1st Apigaurd trays going on this weekend

With an eye on the weather and temperatures, would it be best to complete both trays of Apigaurd (4 weeks treatment) then begin feeding
OR
After the 1st tray (2 weeks) begin feeding until sufficient stores, then add the 2nd tray
OR
Is it worth trying to feed and treat at the same time ?

 

[Jimmy]

The first option is the best. There is plenty of time to treat and feed before the start of winter.

2nd - a 2 week treatment will only affect mites present on adult brood, so all the mites on the capped brood will still be alive and when you remove the 1st tray and they then emerge, there is nothing to stop the mites from parasitizing the next round of brood. With a minimum 4 week treatment there is no hiding place for the mites, so it is more effective.

3rd - anecdotally/very small personal experience, bees are reluctant to take down feed whilst apiguard is in use.

 

[Oscarmonster]

Make sure they have enough food to last out the treatment, obviously!
I feed and treat if necessary. Not yet had a refusal to feed if they need it.

 

[Dadnlad]

OK cheers, that makes sense about the continuation of treatment Jimmy I'll go that route and just keep an eye on their stores

 

[Dusty Rhodes]

Just as an aside, it was struggling with this dilemma which led to my decision to use MAQS as the treatment of choice, getting it over and done with in a week.

And it can be done anytime in the summer months.

Dusty

 

[Melbee]

The first option is the best. There is plenty of time to treat and feed before the start of winter.

2nd - a 2 week treatment will only affect mites present on adult brood, so all the mites on the capped brood will still be alive and when you remove the 1st tray and they then emerge, there is nothing to stop the mites from parasitizing the next round of brood. With a minimum 4 week treatment there is no hiding place for the mites, so it is more effective.

3rd - anecdotally/very small personal experience, bees are reluctant to take down feed whilst apiguard is in use.

I am going to use MAQS but I'm wondering how well the strips work with only a one week treatment vs Apiguard's effectiveness over a four week period.

Anyone know the answer to this?

Thanks

 

[beeno]

I am going to use MAQS but I'm wondering how well the strips work with only a one week treatment vs Apiguard's effectiveness over a four week period.

Anyone know the answer to this?

Thanks

The best point of using MAQS is that they kill the mites in the brood as well as the phoretic mites (the ones living on the bees themselves). Other treatments don't thereof the longer period of application to get the mites as they emerge with the brood. However, some people say that MAQS kill young bees, brood and makes the queens go off lay for a long period or die. I shall use HM Thymol this year as well and see what comes of MAQS treatments this year. Sorry, a bit of a laggard when it comes to MAQS.

 

[REDWOOD]

apiguard is a consecutive four week treatment in other words a complete brood cycle