How are vapers getting on this spring?

[Gilberdyke John]

Are there any less invasive ways to treat the hive for varoa other than chemical treatments? For example any highly effective natural remedies?

"Natural" -

Thymol from Thyme C10H14O
Oxalic Acid (in Rhubarb juice) C2H2O4

They're all chemical compounds

 

[Eyeman]

Hivemaker. Although long, an interesting thread on large scale use of oxalic vapor and the results.

http://www.beesource.com/forums/show...reat-for-mites

Thanks for the link Hivemaker. For those who don't have the time to read it:
The thread centres around a commercial beekeeper Jean-Marc in Canada who documents his experience with OAV. The take home messages for me are:
1. He treated in Nov & dec when temps were freezing: he said " I'd expect all colonies are brood less but I'm not sure"
2. He rotates his treatments ie. has treated with Apivar & thymol earlier in the year.
3. Despite treatment being used during a cold winter he treated 3 and sometimes 4 times
4. An interesting comment he made:
Jean-Marc said: It does knock varroa down but apparently researchers claim up to 95% control with a single dose during broodlessness. I am not really seeing that. On my second application I get a knockdown of about 75% of what I got in the first round
5. Sometime after the last course of treatment (I think 1-2 months) his alcohol wash was showing no or very low mites levels.
6. This one person study can't be extrapolated to treating with OAV late summer or early autumn. We still don't know how effective sequential OAV treatments are when large amounts of brood are around.

 

[mbc]

Thanks for the link Hivemaker. For those who don't have the time to read it:
The thread centres around a commercial beekeeper Jean-Marc in Canada who documents his experience with OAV. The take home messages for me are:
1. He treated in Nov & dec when temps were freezing: he said " I'd expect all colonies are brood less but I'm not sure"
2. He rotates his treatments ie. has treated with Apivar & thymol earlier in the year.
3. Despite treatment being used during a cold winter he treated 3 and sometimes 4 times
4. An interesting comment he made:
Jean-Marc said: It does knock varroa down but apparently researchers claim up to 95% control with a single dose during broodlessness. I am not really seeing that. On my second application I get a knockdown of about 75% of what I got in the first round
5. Sometime after the last course of treatment (I think 1-2 months) his alcohol wash was showing no or very low mites levels.
6. This one person study can't be extrapolated to treating with OAV late summer or early autumn. We still don't know how effective sequential OAV treatments are when large amounts of brood are around.

You missed that his vaping equipment cost >$3000

but an excellent thread, I'm pleased other people take the effort to sort the wheat from the chaff over there.

 

[mbc]

Are there any less invasive ways to treat the hive for varoa other than chemical treatments? For example any highly effective natural remedies?

The amount of oxalic acid used to treat a hive is about the same amount as a couple of large carrots contain, how "natural" do you want?

 

[Erichalfbee]

Are there any less invasive ways to treat the hive for varoa other than chemical treatments? For example any highly effective natural remedies?

If you look on the Flow Hive forum somebody is investigating putting nettles on the top bars and the latest advice is to try a hive on Indiegogo from Czechoslovakia that heats the bees up.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

If you look on the Flow Hive forum somebody is investigating putting nettles on the top bars and the latest advice is to try a hive on Indiegogo from Czechoslovakia that heats the bees up.

 

[Cussword]

The amount of oxalic acid used to treat a hive is about the same amount as a couple of large carrots contain, how "natural" do you want?

First thing that came to mind was a scene of myself trying to force a carrot through my under floor entrance.

Although I have to say, sublimating is what I will stick at.

.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Yes, but those mites dropping later might have all been phoretic at the time of vaping and just take time for the oxalic to take effect and kill them. Now a mite roll between vapes might reveal what going on.
As to the bees maintaining homeostasis, yes, within the nest or cluster, but ambient humidity determines how wet the woodwork and general atmosphere is. Dry, newly condensed oxalic acid is very hydroscopic, it sucks in available moisture.

This is from the link that HM posted
After using the vaporizer for two weeks here is what i have found. It takes about 10-15 seconds to gas a 1 1/2 story hive. I have done a couple of sticky boards and alcohol washes.
Sticky board #1 from 109 mites to 328, #2 138 mites to 534 after 24 hrs, I tried to count the whole board on each. Alcohol washes, #1 from 10% to6%, #2 from 6% to 3%, #3 from 7%to 3%,
#4 from 6% to 0%, #5 from 6% to 2%. I took wash samples from open brood frames about 200 to 300 bees per sample. Hives were treated 3 times approx. 5-6 days apart. We have had terrible weather starting this spring in Texas and until a couple of weeks ago here in Nebraska i guess the mites liked it though. I did do an OA dribble around Christmas, the bees did go to the almonds, but no spring treatment was used, but i never have used one in the past 100% new queens. I will be vaporizing my nucs next spring for sure.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Shouldn't you be beating yourself with those nettles?

 

[mbc]

First thing that came to mind was a scene of myself trying to force a carrot through my under floor entrance.

Although I have to say, sublimating is what I will stick at.

.

Less of this filth in the beekeeping section, masturbation techniques should be kept to "off topic chat".

 

[mbc]

Shouldn't you be beating yourself with those nettles?

As above ^

 

[Eyeman]

Less of this filth in the beekeeping section, masturbation techniques should be kept to "off topic chat".

Shame this site is cluttered with "off topic chat",
Spoiled it for me in the past. Now just add them to my ignore list - admin Is there a max number I can have on my list?

 

[Cussword]

Just keep pushing the ignore button, it'll tell you if it's full.

.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Just keep pushing the ignore button, it'll tell you if it's full.

.

How will he know when you tell him?

 

[Eyeman]

So much is re-quoted that there isn't much point trying to ignore anybody as their posts keep reappearing!
Maybe I need to try and join in with the bathroom banter that occurs off thread!

 

[Cussword]

How will he know when you tell him?

Naughty Erica.

 

[stanley fudge]

first time vape

hi im a new beek, so this was the first time thing for me, i made a vape tool and treated mine in dec, (i missed the broad break)
and also forgot to put a varroa board in !...... so didnt obtain a count .....yes i know lol

at the begining of april i had v board in for 8-10 days .....i counted ten mites on the board. so im guessing thats not too bad ? i have no idea how that measures up against the dribbling method ?