Mite drop

[For want of a better word]

At least one peer reviewed publication describing the harmful effect on brood and subsequent bee mortality from OA dribbling when brood is present.

Twenty-one hours after the OA application cell death was found in 4% of the larval midgut epithelial cells. Evaporated formic acid induced extensive apoptotic cell death in the peripheral, cuticular and subcuticular tissues that preceded the cell death of the entire larval body.

That concurs with my own thoughts on using Formic acid... very good for embalming corpses, despite the fact I think a barrel of brandy would be more acceptable!

However ( for discussion ) what percentage of brood would be killed by the varroa????

Chons da

 

[Finman]

.
The research is 15 y old and now guys start to cry. Oh dear. However, formic acid under its many product names are used widely.

Oxalic acid or formic acid do not kill a beehive but varroa does.
.

 

[Curly green fingers]

Why do you think it’s crap?

It maybe a thymol product but it also has eucalyptus to .
I think with just putting it on top of the frames eg in a corner of the hive on the top bars isn't enough. After all it's only a soft chemical. I'm not the only one that's had to re- treat this summer because they were using apilife-var.

 

[Hivemaker.]

I think with just putting it on top of the frames eg in a corner of the hive on the top bars isn't enough.

No it isn't, much more effective if cut into three and placed directly above the cluster in a triangle, completely close off and seal any open mesh floors and reduce the entrance on the second day down to about two inches, also seal any crown board holes and use double the treatment on any double brood box hives.

edit, the eucalyptus is not really needed, it was originally added as a treatment for Acarine/tracheal mites.

 

[Curly green fingers]

Would you of used double the treatment on brood half?

 

[Hivemaker.]

Would you of used double the treatment on brood half?

No, but would place the pads between the boxes.

 

[Curly green fingers]

I split the strips into 2 and reduced entrances to 1cm square omf floor had tray in, I don't use stands, but supers standing on paving . Maybe I should of sealed the floor up more as you said hivemaker.
I've both aplilfe , and apivar strips now and plan to introduce apivar strips to day .
I've two hives dropping single figures daily
And one my strongest 30/50 -
This is after treating for 5 weeks , with apilife-var.
Sorry I only use solid crown boards year round unless I'm feeding .

 

[Hivemaker.]

Into three is more effective, but right above the cluster/brood, not out in the corners of the box.

 

[Curly green fingers]

Thanks I should of said that I put the pads in-between boxes but obviously not close enough .
Someone's up and attom this morning .
The early bird catches the worm as they say.
Cheers mark.

 

[Hivemaker.]

The early bird catches the worm as they say.
Cheers mark.

Best time of the day, Mark.

 

[Erichalfbee]

When I used Thymol I used apilife. Always split as Hivemaker and never a problem. You do get some colonies that have high mite counts despite treatment. I’m not convinced it’s the treatment failing though. Something else.

 

[Finman]

.
What is the problem when normal treatment does not help with thymol?

- mite population has grown too high and mites have violated brood before treatment starts. Mite amount has been too big after winter.
The help comes too late.

- thymol needs certain vapour strenght that it kills enough mites. Too few stuff or tol low out temperature. Who knows?

- in Finland thymol treatment is very popular. It is given during autumn feeding. Thymol pads as we say. One pad to one box hive and two pads for two box hive. Day temp should be over 15C.

 

[Erichalfbee]

.
What is the problem when normal treatment does not help with thymol?

- mite population has grown too high and mites have violated brood before treatment starts. Mite amount has been too big after winter.
The help comes too late.

Lots of people have been saying varroa levels have been low this year
How can you tell without accurate monitoring such as alcohol washes? Is anybody doing these regularly?

 

[Finman]

Lots of people have been saying varroa levels have been low this year
How can you tell without accurate....?

Lots say, but individual hive can be what ever. Amout of varroa does not folow national trend.

Mite has its own speed to propagate itself. Doubled in one month.

British brood season is quite long and it adds mite propagation.