OA strips

[Etton]

Using Abelo OA strips this autumn, 4 in each hive for 6 weeks, anyone any views on their effectiveness... (for hive cleaning).
I used Apivar last year for varroa control.

 

[Erichalfbee]

I chickened out for the major treatment and vaped.
I have cleaned the odd hive during the summer though

 

[user 819]

Using Abelo OA strips this autumn, 4 in each hive for 6 weeks, anyone any views on their effectiveness... (for hive cleaning).
I used Apivar last year for varroa control.

So are you saying your going treatment free this year and just want nice bleached frames ?

 

[Curly green finger's]

I'm using them and did some in the late spring...........

 

[Erichalfbee]

I'm using them and did some in the late spring...........

As your sole autumn treatment?

 

[Swarm]

Using Abelo OA strips this autumn, 4 in each hive for 6 weeks, anyone any views on their effectiveness... (for hive cleaning).
I used Apivar last year for varroa control.

Depends on your colonies and their varroa status. I used these last year and did no mid winter treatment. My friend tried them and was impressed with the results compared with his usual MAQS treatment and plans to use them again this year. He did an apibioxal trickle mid winter.
We don't have huge mite drops, he counted around 100 mites after application. That would be roughly equal with my highest single drop while doing OAV. It's a few years since I vaped my bees.

 

[Erichalfbee]

So you pays your money and you takes your choice. Use a licensed treatment like Apivar or an unlicensed treatment like Oxalic strips. Similar Oxalic application has worked well for Randy Oliver sometimes and sometimes not.
I wouldn't trust them if counts are not low

 

[Etton]

So you pays your money and you takes your choice. Use a licensed treatment like Apivar or an unlicensed treatment like Oxalic strips. Similar Oxalic application has worked well for Randy Oliver sometimes and sometimes not.
I wouldn't trust them if counts are not low

As well as the OA strips I will be Vaping. Last year I used apivar as my main Autumn treatment with some Vaping.

 

[Curly green finger's]

As your sole autumn treatment?

.
I have 6 with OA strips.
But most have apivar.
I also have a vap which I will use if needs be over winter.

 

[castanea]

Hi
Could you use Oxalic Strips rather than Vaping?
The reason I’m asking 2 years ago I Vaped without any problems, last year after vaping I was sick as a dog. I’ve really lost confidence in vaping. Any advice would be helpful

 

[Erichalfbee]

No. They are not licensed
Are they effective enough anyway?
How come you were sick? If you had proper PPE you should have not come into contact with the sublimate

 

[robmort]

Even without PPE, the slightest whiff is enough to stop you breathing any more in.

 

[Swarm]

Hi
Could you use Oxalic Strips rather than Vaping?
The reason I’m asking 2 years ago I Vaped without any problems, last year after vaping I was sick as a dog. I’ve really lost confidence in vaping. Any advice would be helpful

I understand your feelings and hope others deciding on OAV take great care with their own health. Observe the safety precautions with PPE, adequate filters fitted and regularly changed but even then use common sense and stay away from any clouds of the stuff. I always found I was holding my breath anyway despite the mask.
You could try the strips again, what is your mite load like? As I said, I wouldn't rely on these strips if you have one of those colonies that like to rear varroa.
My friend added strips a few days ago

 

[castanea]

I understand your feelings and hope others deciding on OAV take great care with their own health. Observe the safety precautions with PPE, adequate filters fitted and regularly changed but even then use common sense and stay away from any clouds of the stuff. I always found I was holding my breath anyway despite the mask.
You could try the strips again, what is your mite load like? As I said, I wouldn't rely on these strips if you have one of those colonies that like to rear varroa.
My friend added strips a few days ago

Thanks you the reply, I’ve bought new filters but thought the Oxalic strips from Abelo would be a quick fix. My mite load is small but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

 

[mbc]

I like the extended release offered by oxalic hive cleansing strips.
I

 

[Erichalfbee]

Similar treatment worked well for Randy Oliver in some apiaries but not others
I read somewhere that he was trialling some permanent placing?

 

[Swarm]

Thanks you the reply, I’ve bought new filters but thought the Oxalic strips from Abelo would be a quick fix. My mite load is small but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

With a low number drop I'd be inclined towards the strips for the reason mbc gives. Follow them up in early spring and see how your colonies are coping.

 

[Curly green finger's]

I like the extended release offered by oxalic hive cleansing strips.
I

Same here three weeks into using them for a second time.

 

[Etton]

Started to take out the OA strips and one hive they have vanished. Bees must have removed them themselves, there was plenty of bits left on the varroa board . A self- cleansing hive!

 

[Hedgerow Honey]

Apitraz in now, bought loads very cheap.
Abelo cleansing strips March till first supers go on.
Worked well last spring with low counts throughout the year, with the odd exception of course.