- Joined
- Oct 16, 2012
- Messages
- 18,206
- Reaction score
- 9,525
- Location
- Fareham, Hampshire UK
- Hive Type
- 14x12
- Number of Hives
- 6
It strikes me that Varroa is one of the main causes of concern for most beekeepers. From all I have read Varroa will continue to spread as long as colonies are infested ... and reinfestation will occur if there are infected hives somewhere within the foraging area of any particular colony.
It appears that there are relatively few truly 'feral' colonies around in the UK these days therefore Varroa must be mainly spread from colonies in the 'care' of beekeepers ?
So ....... if this is the case then why is there not a 'National Varroa Week' where every beekeeper commits to inspecting and treating their hives for Varroa within that declared week ? (I'm suggesting a week but perhaps 10 days or 2 weeks may be more realistic to allow for people to take account of their personal circumstances or weather conditions)
I'm not here to argue what 'treatment' entails ... be it proprietary, essential oil, shook swarm, drone cell destruction, formic/oxalic acid, sugar dusting or W.H.Y. .... just that EVERYONE does something within that week to reduce the levels of Varroa within their colonies.
Surely, with a concerted effort from everyone then the overall levels of Varroa would be seriously damaged and that could only be to the general good... and I accept that it would need a significant campaign of information leading up to the event and the cooperation of all the Fora, the BBKA, Local Associations etc. But ... where there's a will there's a way.
I'm realistic and I know that there would still be a percentage of hives that could not/would not get treatment but even if only 50% of colonies were 'treated' it would be better than none ?
In some areas, where local associations are strong it could be almost total.
What do you think ? Any suggestions ?
It appears that there are relatively few truly 'feral' colonies around in the UK these days therefore Varroa must be mainly spread from colonies in the 'care' of beekeepers ?
So ....... if this is the case then why is there not a 'National Varroa Week' where every beekeeper commits to inspecting and treating their hives for Varroa within that declared week ? (I'm suggesting a week but perhaps 10 days or 2 weeks may be more realistic to allow for people to take account of their personal circumstances or weather conditions)
I'm not here to argue what 'treatment' entails ... be it proprietary, essential oil, shook swarm, drone cell destruction, formic/oxalic acid, sugar dusting or W.H.Y. .... just that EVERYONE does something within that week to reduce the levels of Varroa within their colonies.
Surely, with a concerted effort from everyone then the overall levels of Varroa would be seriously damaged and that could only be to the general good... and I accept that it would need a significant campaign of information leading up to the event and the cooperation of all the Fora, the BBKA, Local Associations etc. But ... where there's a will there's a way.
I'm realistic and I know that there would still be a percentage of hives that could not/would not get treatment but even if only 50% of colonies were 'treated' it would be better than none ?
In some areas, where local associations are strong it could be almost total.
What do you think ? Any suggestions ?