Oxalic now?

[Hawklord]

When is the best time to treat with OA? I know bees should be in a broodless state but is it best done earlier rather than later? I have had temps below freezing for the last week or so and I wouldn't have thought there would be any brood at the moment.

 

[oliver90owner]

See this recent thread?

http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=21562

 

[Hawklord]

That thread didn't help. Will there be any brood if temps are below freezing? I know eggs die at lower temps as I've seen them on the monitoring board in previous years.

 

[Hivemaker.]

Will there be any brood if temps are below freezing?

Yes.

 

[mbc]

Yes.

Shouldn't that read "maybe" or "possibly". I know some of my hives have no brood at the moment.

 

[Hivemaker.]

No... if they had brood yesterday, and it freezes today, they will still have brood. Thy usually have plenty of brood in early spring,late jan,and it can be freezing weather up until april.

 

[herefordshirehoney]

Brood nest should be a fairly constant temp of ~33-34oC

 

[eddiespangle]

The outside temperature may be freezing but the cluster aims to maintain a temperature that is much higher. High enough to allow brood to develop. Christmas time is recommended for OA treatment as it is when the brood is at a minimum. The lengthening days in the new year trigger am increase in brood production as the colony prepares for the spring.

 

[mbc]

But if they didnt,,, sorry this is purely pedantic nitpicking, I'm sure readers will have got your point.

 

[Hivemaker.]

But if they didnt,,, sorry this is purely pedantic nitpicking, I'm sure readers will have got your point.

LOL... only way to be sure is to have a look.

 

[Hawklord]

So it don't matter if I treat now or Xmas, some varroa could be missed.

 

[For want of a better word]

LOL... only way to be sure is to have a look.

Endoscope for under £10 ! including led light.... first flexible one I purchased was over £1000!, but could be guided around corners.....

You could fix this one to a stick to look for brood.. if you must?

Fleabuy....

330646469371
Item number:

 

[herefordshirehoney]

Lol dont fancy bringing my laptop out to the hive in beesuit just for endoscope to look in hive =)

 

[Finman]

LOL... only way to be sure is to have a look.

Yes. It is only way.

We will have in Sunday -17C.
It is now -7C and on sea wind speed 29 m/s

.

 

[Finman]

So it don't matter if I treat now or Xmas, some varroa could be missed.

Quite soon after new year bees start again brood rearing.

My bees start brood rearing in February even if it is the coldest month here and out temp is -20C .
Bees stop brood rearing in September or Ochtober.

The key is shortening day and lenghtening day.

 

[Hawklord]

So the best day to treat is 21st December?

 

[Black Comb]

I usually do mine 1st Jan., but I drink v little so don't have a hangover.
Best to be fully alert when dealing with acid.

 

[Polyanwood]

I treat 3 weeks after the first hard frost or failing that , between Christmas and New Year. Usually 3 weeks after the first hard frost there is no brood.

 

[enrico]

I don't pour acid on my bees at all!

 

[VEG]

I dont pour acid on mine either I dribble it on