Prophylactic treatment?

[LeaBees]

On getting additional nucs or hives (swarm etc), do you guys recommend a treatment course, of say vaping, to knock back any potential high varroa loads before they get fully settled? What do you guys do/recommend? Assuming only 1 apiary site with no access to a "quarantine apiary".

Thanks

 

[B+.]

On getting additional nucs or hives (swarm etc), do you guys recommend a treatment course, of say vaping, to knock back any potential high varroa loads before they get fully settled? What do you guys do/recommend? Assuming only 1 apiary site with no access to a "quarantine apiary".

Thanks

If you don't know the origin/status of the swarm, I think that's a very good idea. However, if the swarm came from one of your own hives, you will probably have done some assessment and know whether it needs treatment, or not.
Being broodless, this is the best time to treat if it is necessary - but, bear in mind, that it will still be re-infected by drones, robbers, etc.

 

[Erichalfbee]

I usually vape swarms 6/7 days after hiving.

 

[LeaBees]

And new nucs?

 

[Erichalfbee]

And new nucs?

No not my own
Do you mean ones you buy? If so check what the infestation is before proceeding

 

[LeaBees]

Yes, bought ones.
Thank you.

 

[B+.]

And new nucs?

I think, what Dani is trying to say is, when they have no brood she vapes. If there is sealed brood, vaping won't kill the varroa in the cells so it is just like any other colony.

 

[LeaBees]

Thanks

 

[pargyle]

Thanks

A swarm that has been captured is likely to have some varroa on the bees so when it is put into a hive so it's a good idea to vape them a few days after they have been hived when there is no sealed brood - you will kill most of the resident varroa at that stage. If it has come from your own bees then it will depend upon the varroa levels in the parent colony.

A commercially purchased Nuc should really come with the knowledge that the bees have been treated at some point for varroa and they should, therefore, not require treatment. If you suspect there are varroa present in a nuc you should do a sugar roll to confirm and then treat as required .. if there is sealed brood (which there should be in a purchased nuc) and they need treatment then you should be doing three vapes at five day intervals to be certain.

If it's a Nuc that you are creating from your own bees then I know you have treated them so there should be no need for further treatment until the Autumn unless they are showing signs of infestation.

 

[LeaBees]

A swarm that has been captured is likely to have some varroa on the bees so when it is put into a hive so it's a good idea to vape them a few days after they have been hived when there is no sealed brood - you will kill most of the resident varroa at that stage. If it has come from your own bees then it will depend upon the varroa levels in the parent colony.

A commercially purchased Nuc should really come with the knowledge that the bees have been treated at some point for varroa and they should, therefore, not require treatment. If you suspect there are varroa present in a nuc you should do a sugar roll to confirm and then treat as required .. if there is sealed brood (which there should be in a purchased nuc) and they need treatment then you should be doing three vapes at five day intervals to be certain.

If it's a Nuc that you are creating from your own bees then I know you have treated them so there should be no need for further treatment until the Autumn unless they are showing signs of infestation.

Grand, thank you.