First Winter treatment prep for me and my hive

[JonnyPicklechin]

Hi all

Some questions on my strong, single hive

1. I have not yet performed any Varroa treatment. At this time of year I read I should avoid Thymol. What suggestions?

2. Is it too late for in hive treatments at all now since I should leave the hive alone? I'd actually prefer to perform an Oxalic and am prepared to get the kit since having read about it I prefer this treatment in principle?

Thanks in advance,

Jon

 

[B+.]

1. I have not yet performed any Varroa treatment.
I'd actually prefer to perform an Oxalic
having read about it I prefer this treatment in principle?

In principle, I prefer no treatment at all, but, this is probably a topic for another day. Have you any evidence to support the need for treatment? Do your bees have crippled wings and deformed abdomens? Are there perforations in any sealed brood they have left?

 

[JonnyPicklechin]

Well indeed. I don't see anything like you say. The bees look strong, vibrant and busy.

I see only a few Varroa on the bottom board inspections if at all. My gut is to leave them and then keep inspecting the BB over winter and if things look problematic move to Oxylic if need be.

But need the good advice as want to get to Spring in tip top shape.

 

[B+.]

Well indeed. I don't see anything like you say. The bees look strong, vibrant and busy.

At this time of the year, there will be little if any brood so any mites you have will be on the adults. OA would be a possible treatment if you want to go that route. What is your natural mite drop like? You say a few, but, how many? Have you done a sugar roll or soapy wash test? If your numbers are very low, you may have some hygienic bees that are taking care of it themselves

 

[JonnyPicklechin]

No...I have not checked. I have learnt about the sugar dust test so will give that a go.

I have two brood boxes ...will it be useful enough to use bees from a frame in the higher one? I was only planning to have minimal involvement with frames in the brood boxes at the time of year. They are certainly a little more spiky now as they have been defending some robbing.

Or is the point that you need as close to actual brood activity as possible? Since, as you say, there is a little actual brood now does it matter particularly?

 

[B+.]

No...I have not checked. I have learnt about the sugar dust test so will give that a go.

I have two brood boxes ...will it be useful enough to use bees from a frame in the higher one? I was only planning to have minimal involvement with frames in the brood boxes at the time of year. They are certainly a little more spiky now as they have been defending some robbing.

Or is the point that you need as close to actual brood activity as possible? Since, as you say, there is a little actual brood now does it matter particularly?

Ideally, you'd have done tests like this earlier...just be careful you don't take the queen! The varroa infestation will be pretty evenly distributed as there are a lot less bees at this time of year.
I usually do the soapy wash test with 30-50g of bees from the supers in the first week of July. After discussing the matter with one of my BeeBreed colleagues, I'll be doing it every 3 weeks in future.

 

[Chris B]

I wouldn't skip an autumn varroa treatment if you only have 1 hive. A big colony may be supporting a big mite population that will hit the bees hard when they reduce to smaller winter cluster. It may be too late by the next opportunity to treat. It is not too late for thymol and it's probably going to be the most effective option at present. Of course it is possible they have a very low mite load but that's not very common at this time of year.

 

[B+.]

I wouldn't skip an autumn varroa treatment if you only have 1 hive.

Chris is right. The low risk approach since you only have 1 colony is to treat them this year but review it when you have more colonies

 

[Erichalfbee]

I wouldn't skip an autumn varroa treatment if you only have 1 hive.

Absolutely.
I have one colony in a 14x12 box that looks vibrant and healthy. Brood looks good; no deformed wings.
Four oxalic treatments later I had a varroa drop of near 2K

 

[JonnyPicklechin]

So I guess my next question then is what is the suggested treatment at this time of year. I am drawn to the ApiVAR sachets. Break and leave on top of frames...

Anyone feel or suggest strongly?

 

[Obee1]

Absolutely.
I have one colony in a 14x12 box that looks vibrant and healthy. Brood looks good; no deformed wings.
Four oxalic treatments later I had a varroa drop of near 2K

Similar to my double brood box hive. Hardly any varroa drop. No signs of deformed wings and I got a similar drop with sublimation. Scary....

Btw erica. Did your fourth sublimation provide much of a drop?

 

[Madge]

...But need the good advice as want to get to Spring in tip top shape.

...I am drawn to the ApiVAR sachets. Break and leave on top of frames...

Anyone feel or suggest strongly?

You probably mean Apilife Var sachets - but Apivar might be a good choice. If you need good advice, then I would suggest you ask advice from a vet who deals with bees and can prescribe Apivar if necessary.

 

[Delgirl]

Similar to my double brood box hive. Hardly any varroa drop. No signs of deformed wings and I got a similar drop with sublimation. Scary....

Btw erica. Did your fourth sublimation provide much of a drop?

I am not Erica but for info, I have just done my fourth Belt & Braces sublimation despite most of the recommendations out there that three would be enough (all done 5 days apart). Still got a drop of 25 next day and then 13 the next (did it four days ago). Have decided to leave it for now and maybe do another in December when there is little or no brood but interesting it still produced results.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Similar to my double brood box hive. Hardly any varroa drop. No signs of deformed wings and I got a similar drop with sublimation. Scary....

Btw erica. Did your fourth sublimation provide much of a drop?

Yes. I took the inspection tray out after four days and estimated 400.
Hive maker suggested that if doing four doses to do the last four days after the the third instead of five which is what I did. He said that often the last vape produces the highest drop.

This one will get a dose after Christmas too.