First Varroa Mite Drop Inspection

[Cb50]

Early days for me I know but having been given a Swarm 3 weeks ago I undertook a drop count just to see if there was much in there being a wild swarm.

7 Days - 8 counted dropped - used the bee base calculator which said 45 currently treatment a long time off.

A few questions - how accurate is this test so early on in the hive? Small colony, probably very little drone brood etc

And also I attach a photo of the slide - any interesting tips of what is on there.

My guesses are -

• pollen,
• shavings (lots) of wax (interested to know if that is normal and what from),
• some mould (is than normal)
• and some liquid - tried to zoom in (what is that from), some bee parts.
• Some mites

Trying to learn from those who know...and hopefully others will learn as well from the posts.

CB

 

[domino]

I get mold on mine once and a while.

 

[oliver90owner]

That test was just about worthless.

Might be good practise, but otherwise a complete waste of time. Read up on varroa.

 

[beenovice]

That test was just about worthless.

Might be good practise, but otherwise a complete waste of time. Read up on varroa.

Do you think - THINK!! - it might be more helpful to explain why you think it is a waste of time? It has been posted on the beginners forum after all.

This person is asking for help and advice, not criticism.

 

[madasafish]

I have ants on my varroa boards.. they remove anything edible.


(People should imo learn to think for themselves rather than regurgitate book learning. I realise that counteracts how many people are taught and runs counter to the "if you have not got a degree, then you are worthless " crap pedalled by the educational establishment...

Anyone who learns beekeeping by books only is sure of a big surprise .. rather like the children's song "if you go down to the woods today,..."

Edit

Of course I can say the above because:

I think for myself.
I don't care.
After 2 large glasses of G&T AND half a bottle of cheap wine, I care even less.
And I have a degree.



Hic

Mine's another G&T please... Spell checkers help the inebriated..

 

[oliver90owner]

A few questions - how accurate is this test so early on in the hive?-

Beenovice,

As far as I could see, there was only one question - the one in bold above. I answered quite succinctly and without ambiguity.

What more do you expect? It is all there to be read up. Lifecycle, checks on colonies, etc, etc. If you are complaining I have not spelt it out to you, personally, in great common sense detail then you, too, need to read up on it. Or perhaps you can answer the question better, instead of just posting critism? Take note: I did not criticise the poster one tiny iota. I answered the question and suggested a course which might be enlightening. Perhaps you need to think about your beekeeping, just a tad instead of relying on everyone else thinking for you when it goes wrong.

 

[Dishmop]

A few questions - how accurate is this test so early on in the hive?-

I doubt there is an answer.

Stop poking around in the hive and let the bees get on with it.

How do you know it was a "wild swarm"

I may have come from a beekeeper 500 yards down the road..

 

[Cb50]

That test was just about worthless.

Might be good practise, but otherwise a complete waste of time. Read up on varroa.

Thanks, helpful.

I put the board in because I wanted to see if there was any varroa at all, to practice looking for it, and mainly to show my kids who are showing a lot of interest in what goes on with bees. And I wanted to see up what an actual board looked like from time in a new hive as books can only show you so many pictures and most of what I saw were just heavy varroa infested ones.

I did kind of say it is a bit early but was interested in people's educational views. Your views were neither educational nor useful as you did not explain anything just that it was a waste if time. Being a waste of time is kind of related to my purpose f doing it. The kids found it really useful to see some mites for the first time.

I used to teach a very technical sport/past time to a very high standard and one thing I learned is that my sport lived on and grew through beginners, and no question was ever stup unless it was asked by the same person again after receiving some sound education. How do you think you are helping this pastime grow and live on with your attitude. Maybe you should stay out of the beginners forum if you cannot help yourself.

 

[Cb50]

I doubt there is an answer.

Stop poking around in the hive and let the bees get on with it.

How do you know it was a "wild swarm"

I may have come from a beekeeper 500 yards down the road..

I am not 100% sure but the chap who collected them knew all the bee keepers around him and said that having spoken to them all no one was missing so he felt they were feral. But I guess he may now know them all.

 

[Dishmop]

I get mold on mine once and a while.

 

[SireeDubs]

Early days for me I know but having been given a Swarm 3 weeks ago I undertook a drop count just to see if there was much in there being a wild swarm.

7 Days - 8 counted dropped - used the bee base calculator which said 45 currently treatment a long time off.

A few questions - how accurate is this test so early on in the hive? Small colony, probably very little drone brood etc

And also I attach a photo of the slide - any interesting tips of what is on there.

My guesses are -

• pollen,
• shavings (lots) of wax (interested to know if that is normal and what from),
• some mould (is than normal)
• and some liquid - tried to zoom in (what is that from), some bee parts.
• Some mites

Trying to learn from those who know...and hopefully others will learn as well from the posts.

CB

Hi there,

There's loads you can read about varroa. FERA do a great booklet that really helped me understand the cycles/seasons/treatments etc.
Your picture looks very like my trays a couple of weeks ago (and your guesses are correct, I think). I clean and dry my trays thoroughly then apply a thin layer of Vaseline, so any mites stick to it.
I monitored for 2 weeks and averaged numbers (very low), then on inspection, I dusted with icing sugar, which showed slightly higher, but still low numbers. The FERA booklet explains numbers over the seasons too...

I'm a comparative beginner too, and having prepared thoroughly (theoretically and practically), you still really learn on the job! This forum is invariably a greaT source of knowledge, so I hope if I've said anything incorrect, I'll be corrected!

My kids love the bee stuff too! It's magical (if often consternating).
T

 

[SireeDubs]

Lots of useful FERA booklets including varroa management (apologies if you have this already)...
https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/beebase/index.cfm?pageid=167
T

 

[Itchy]

Thanks, helpful.

I put the board in because I wanted to see if there was any varroa at all, to practice looking for it, and mainly to show my kids who are showing a lot of interest in what goes on with bees. And I wanted to see up what an actual board looked like from time in a new hive as books can only show you so many pictures and most of what I saw were just heavy varroa infested ones.

I did kind of say it is a bit early but was interested in people's educational views. Your views were neither educational nor useful as you did not explain anything just that it was a waste if time. Being a waste of time is kind of related to my purpose f doing it. The kids found it really useful to see some mites for the first time.

I used to teach a very technical sport/past time to a very high standard and one thing I learned is that my sport lived on and grew through beginners, and no question was ever stup unless it was asked by the same person again after receiving some sound education. How do you think you are helping this pastime grow and live on with your attitude. Maybe you should stay out of the beginners forum if you cannot help yourself.

You may not like the delivery, but the advice is sound. Despite a rocky start, RAB's sharp comments makes me think and read more, therefore remembering more and being able to apply it. I just don't retain material I read on forums.

 

[REDWOOD]

Yep the life cycle of varroa will explain everything and all clouds will disappear

 

[Cb50]

You may not like the delivery, but the advice is sound. Despite a rocky start, RAB's sharp comments makes me think and read more, therefore remembering more and being able to apply it. I just don't retain material I read on forums.

Agree but it would have been useful to know why at the same time. I will re read the FERA book.

 

[Cb50]

Yep the life cycle of varroa will explain everything and all clouds will disappear

Reading it now

 

[Cb50]

Thanks, helpful. Someone at my bka meeting said they had used the clear one sided sticky film that schools use for covering books. Pinned it backing side up to her board, pealed the backing off and the drop stuck to it. Was less messy than Vaseline , interesting to see if that works.

Hi there,

There's loads you can read about varroa. FERA do a great booklet that really helped me understand the cycles/seasons/treatments etc.
Your picture looks very like my trays a couple of weeks ago (and your guesses are correct, I think). I clean and dry my trays thoroughly then apply a thin layer of Vaseline, so any mites stick to it.
I monitored for 2 weeks and averaged numbers (very low), then on inspection, I dusted with icing sugar, which showed slightly higher, but still low numbers. The FERA booklet explains numbers over the seasons too...

I'm a comparative beginner too, and having prepared thoroughly (theoretically and practically), you still really learn on the job! This forum is invariably a greaT source of knowledge, so I hope if I've said anything incorrect, I'll be corrected!

My kids love the bee stuff too! It's magical (if often consternating).
T

 

[oliver90owner]

OP clearly did not even understand/read what I wrote. He harps on about how good it was for the children's education but didn't read my reply. Here it is again. 'Might be good practise....' Some people just do not have the ability to read what is written.

Did the OP mention anything about children? I don't think so, and I am not psychic, so children were not included in my reply. Very sorry, but I stick to the facts. It answered the one and only question posed. No criticism either, which the complaining member imagined, spirited up from thin air or just did anything but think for themselves. Definitely one who needs to learn to read.

I made no comment whatsoever re the low resolution pics.

Had I replied it was definitely good practise, inserting and removing the board and counting days, I may also have been riddiculed for that specific wording. I left that decision up to the OP, because I would have no idea if he needed to practise those things. If he needed practise, perhaps it would have been sensible to do that before the bees arrived? Always better to know the board fits properly before actually needing it urgently, a principle so many seem to forget or don't comprehend.

Enough, now on this thread. I would not want to upset a new poster too much. Bye.

 

[SireeDubs]

Thanks, helpful. Someone at my bka meeting said they had used the clear one sided sticky film that schools use for covering books. Pinned it backing side up to her board, pealed the backing off and the drop stuck to it. Was less messy than Vaseline , interesting to see if that works.

Yes, I've heard of that being used successfully - more of the luxury option. Vaseline is a bit messy, but does the job!

I knew all about varroa (yeah, right) when I started out, but learned the hard way when I lost a varroa weakened hive... I'm pretty OCD about it now! Definitely pays to be on the ball.

Good luck.
T

 

[Dishmop]

I knew all about varroa (yeah, right) when I started out, but learned the hard way when I lost a varroa weakened hive... I'm pretty OCD about it now! Definitely pays to be on the ball.

was it confirmed that varroa was the cause of the loss?