High varroa count after apiguard- any suggestions?

[MattC]

Long time lurker, first time proper post- I'm hoping someone more experienced can advise?

First year of beekeeping, hived swarm end June/early July. Put on apiguard August and started feeding about the same time as they weren't expanding. Two trays on for 2 and 4 weeks respectively although some residue left (so maybe I should have left the second tray on for longer?)

Anyway, recent varroa mite drops have been 20/day- in the 'must do something' range according to FERA booklet- but only 2 wks since I took the apiguard off. Otherwise they seem fine, laying rate dropped off but capped brood, and small amount uncapped and even one or two eggs still. Frames all drawn and stores being laid down with continued feeding.

So- should I put some more apiguard on while still warm, or use something else? Should I wait until Dec/Jan for oxalic? I am leaving the country for 2 months in 2-3 weeks time, so inclined to get on and do something rather than watch and wait, but not sure what!

 

[Swarm]

I'd treat with oxalic Dec/Jan, anything else will just be undue stress for the bees after weeks of apiguard.

 

[drstitson]

why were you monitoring shortly after finishing treating?

 

[Hivemaker.]

why were you monitoring shortly after finishing treating?

To see how many varroa mites were falling i would imagine.

 

[mbc]

why were you monitoring shortly after finishing treating?

monitoring after treatment has to be the best way of ascertaining if the treatments worked effectively or not

 

[colin]

Hi ,we found that when we do shook swarm control and put them on new foundation each year the mite drop is very low because the brood is removed and destroyed we never used the brood frames again every thing is new and fresh.

 

[Hebeegeebee]

Did you put the mite board in during the whole treatment to keep the fumes in?

 

[MattC]

Thank you for responses. The mite floor was in for all but the first 4-5 days of treatment (until I realised my mistake...)

Think I'll try to get hold of more apiguard.