Low varroa drop

[manek]

With one hive dropping zero varroa in a week and the other just three over the same period, I'm wondering whether to treat at all. I normally sublimate OA so I don't have to decide right now but it's where I am going at the moment.

 

[Angry_Mob]

What testing method did you use? I wouldn't rely on the inspection board alone as you could have things like eariwigs or ants eating the varrora.

 

[Erichalfbee]

With one hive dropping zero varroa in a week and the other just three over the same period, I'm wondering whether to treat at all. I normally sublimate OA so I don't have to decide right now but it's where I am going at the moment.

My advice would be to sublimate as soon as you can and measure the 24 hour drop which will represent roughly 20% of your colony total
You might get a surprise
Natural drop is notoriously inaccurate especially over one week.

 

[Ian123]

Treat you have nothing to lose any any reduction in varroa numbers protecting winter bees is a good thing. A vape may also give a true indication on numbers

 

[Beefriendly]

Treat you have nothing to lose any any reduction in varroa numbers protecting winter bees is a good thing. A vape may also give a true indication on not mbers

And everything to lose if you have underestimated their numbers.
15 minutes of your time and a 24 hour wait to see what the real state of play is...

 

[Ian123]

Lol having read my post I realised I should have checked it before leaving the pub

 

[manek]

Hmm, OK, I'll treat asap.

Sent from my Mi A2 Lite using Tapatalk

 

[oxnatbees]

Do the bees show any sign of varroa infestation? Deformed wings?

If not, combined with the low varroa count, strong evidence that you have a colony that can handle the mites without help. In particular you say it was a swarm a few years ago, In my experience, commercial bees don't have varroa resistance traits but swarms do - even ones from commercial hives, because they quickly supersede and cross with local bees which do.

Or, yeah, you could chuck in some acid, burn the wind-sensing hairs off their eyes, have an angry hive for a week or so. It probably isn't needed, but a bit of casual cruelty never hurt anyone, right?

 

[Erichalfbee]

Or, yeah, you could chuck in some acid, burn the wind-sensing hairs off their eyes, have an angry hive for a week or so. It probably isn't needed, but a bit of casual cruelty never hurt anyone, right?

I have never witnessed this in the bees I have treated
How do you know maneks bees have low levels of varroa
He doesn’t even know himself
An accelerated drop will tell him

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

In my experience, commercial bees don't have varroa resistance traits but swarms do - even ones from commercial hives, because they quickly supersede and cross with local bees which do.

Or, yeah, you could chuck in some acid, burn the wind-sensing hairs off their eyes, have an angry hive for a week or so. It probably isn't needed, but a bit of casual cruelty never hurt anyone, right?

Not often nowadays you get helpings of tripe as big as that.

 

[Ian123]

Do the bees show any sign of varroa infestation? Deformed wings?

If not, combined with the low varroa count, strong evidence that you have a colony that can handle the mites without help. In particular you say it was a swarm a few years ago, In my experience, commercial bees don't have varroa resistance traits but swarms do - even ones from commercial hives, because they quickly supersede and cross with local bees which do.

Or, yeah, you could chuck in some acid, burn the wind-sensing hairs off their eyes, have an angry hive for a week or so. It probably isn't needed, but a bit of casual cruelty never hurt anyone, right?

That’s right leave the fat sucking virus passing parasites in the hive

 

[Millet]

I put a post up a while back about the lack of varroa in my colonies after the first vape..i have no deformed wing virus and the bees are healthy..
After the second vape was a different story..four hives still dropped very few mites but the other four where dropping them in the + 300's and that went on for quite a while..after five vapes and amitraz strips the colonies are at a level that i like..if i had not treated for varroa through the lack of mites from the first vape i dare say i would have lost several colonies over winter..
For the little time and effort required when treating for for varroa is a no brainer really..

 

[madasafish]

Do the bees show any sign of varroa infestation? Deformed wings?

If not, combined with the low varroa count, strong evidence that you have a colony that can handle the mites without help. In particular you say it was a swarm a few years ago, In my experience, commercial bees don't have varroa resistance traits but swarms do - even ones from commercial hives, because they quickly supersede and cross with local bees which do.

Or, yeah, you could chuck in some acid, burn the wind-sensing hairs off their eyes, have an angry hive for a week or so. It probably isn't needed, but a bit of casual cruelty never hurt anyone, right?

I rarely read such illinformed advice including comments about cruelty so thanks..Not.

 

[Erichalfbee]

I put a post up a while back about the lack of varroa in my colonies after the first vape..i have no deformed wing virus and the bees are healthy..
After the second vape was a different story..four hives still dropped very few mites but the other four where dropping them in the + 300's and that went on for quite a while..after five vapes and amitraz strips the colonies are at a level that i like..if i had not treated for varroa through the lack of mites from the first vape i dare say i would have lost several colonies over winter..
For the little time and effort required when treating for for varroa is a no brainer really..

Exactly
The OP must do a proper varroa estimation and not rely on what he sees on the bees or a short natural drop
At this time of year a vape is ideal
If he wants to open up the hive then he should do an alcohol wash