Maqs

[Gwr]

I’ve tried it over 3 years and every time had queen issue on the 8 hives I tried it on.

I’ve called the manufacturer to ask what to do in my double brood and 14x12 national hives before first using it, as I’d read and heard some different instructions on how to use it, and even when following them to the dot I had issues. Worse case I lost the queens, best case they went off lay for 2 to 3 weeks and then most got superseded.

I’ve gone back to using vapourised OA as the only treatment when it’s needed, and whilst it’s not as convenient to use as throwing an acetic acid pad in the hive and just leaving it for the required length of time, OA vaporisation seems to work just as well overall.

 

[Erichalfbee]

What a palaver lol....

Yep.
OAV is so easy and I take every opportunity to vape when brood free

 

[oliver90owner]

it’s not as convenient to use as throwing an acetic acid pad in the hive

Really? Doubtless there are people trying vinegar as a varroacide. There is a difference between ethanoic and methanoic acids.

 

[Gilberdyke John]

it’s not as convenient to use as throwing an acetic acid pad in the hive

Really? Doubtless there are people trying vinegar as a varroacide. There is a difference between ethanoic and methanoic acids.

Wait for someone to advise oleum. It'll no doubt kill any varroa it contacts. Good thing it's hard to get hold of.

 

[oliver90owner]

Even harder, to get hold of, now that most concentrations are a banned substance due to idiots/scum using it as a weapon.

 

[Hedgerow Honey]

Every fives years on ADR course always get told the story of the nurse on the m6 melted in a pool of oleum, Only carried it once, scared the life out of me. Phenol, Would that work ?.

 

[Finman]

.
Even worse. Hobby beekeepers invent their own varroa treatments when they do not succeed with tested methods.

 

[oliver90owner]

.
Even worse. Hobby beekeepers invent their own varroa treatments when they do not succeed with tested methods.

And why don’t they succeed with tried and tested methods? Mainly, I would suggest, by not following the standard method (one single brood box, on its own, under strict laboratory conditions, at the right time and with total observation over the complete period of treatment).

Any deviation from the ‘standard’ conditions requires some fore-thought or action to replicate those standard treatment conditions. Double brood hives or tiny nucs are examples. Weather conditions are another.

Many beekeepers don’t even think that there might be a difference beteen Warre and Jumbo Langstroth brood boxes. Many beekeepers don’t even think of which size of brood box the manufacurer’s tests were carried out on. Many beekeepers don’t think of the climate conditions of the reported efficacy results reported by the manufacturers. Many beekeepers don’t think