Should I be worried?

[Lolly Bee]

Is this a one off or DWV? Only the one bee in a relatively busy hive had this. I’ve enlarged the shot and hope that is has enough clarity.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

you get the occasional deformed wing in a healthy hive, just monitor - if you are seeing them regularly, you have an emerging problem so revisit your varroa control regime.

 

[Lolly Bee]

Thank you and will do. Hoping it is just the one as I was assiduous in varroa treatment.

 

[Ian123]

As above you get them in most hives and you’ll often see them shown the front door. It’s not until they reach large numbers you normally see them. What did you treat with this Autumn and Winter? If you have vaping equipment you could vape and see if you get a decent drop. Have you a mesh floor you could check?

 

[Lolly Bee]

Last year I treated with Apiguard and Oxalic. Huge drop then and nothing since. I checked the base when I found the poor little bee and no sign of varroa. Unless my eyes are deceiving me. I did a lengthy check and there appeared to be only the one, but easy to miss as I couldn't even find the queen despite lots of brood and sealed brood. I will be checking again this weekend. I don't have vaping equipment - its scares the hell out of me, which I know is pathetic. I perhaps need someone to show me how to do it easily as everything I read seems to have wildly complicated leads to car batteries (and I don't have one of those) ...

 

[Ian123]

Sounds good hopefully a 1 off….

 

[E&MBees]

Thank you and will do. Hoping it is just the one as I was assiduous in varroa treatment.

Don’t be afraid of vaping. A forum member showed me how to do it. They visited my apiary. It made a real difference. There may be someone on here that could do likewise for you.
I can’t get my car close enough to use a car battery and one is too heavy for me to carry. Instead I use a mobility scooter battery. It’s small and light enough to carry in a shopping bag. It vaped all 6 colonies last year with charge left after each round. I can find the details if you are interested.
Where abouts in Wiltshire are you? I’m nr Bath.
Good luck,
Emily

 

[bpmurray]

To put your mind at rest do a sugar shake test. At least that way you'll know the exact mite load.

 

[Lolly Bee]

Don’t be afraid of vaping. A forum member showed me how to do it. They visited my apiary. It made a real difference. There may be someone on here that could do likewise for you.
I can’t get my car close enough to use a car battery and one is too heavy for me to carry. Instead I use a mobility scooter battery. It’s small and light enough to carry in a shopping bag. It vaped all 6 colonies last year with charge left after each round. I can find the details if you are interested.
Where abouts in Wiltshire are you? I’m nr Bath.
Good luck,
Emily

Thank you Emily - that's really helpful. I think I might be a bit far away from you sadly as we are south of Salisbury on the edge of the New Forest. My sort of mentor doesn't believe in treating for varroa (go figure) so I can't ask for her help, but maybe there are a couple of others or someone in the SDBKA that could show me. However, I'd be really interested in whatever details you might have that you could share with me. Thank you again.

 

[E&MBees]

Thank you Emily - that's really helpful. I think I might be a bit far away from you sadly as we are south of Salisbury on the edge of the New Forest. My sort of mentor doesn't believe in treating for varroa (go figure) so I can't ask for her help, but maybe there are a couple of others or someone in the SDBKA that could show me. However, I'd be really interested in whatever details you might have that you could share with me. Thank you again.

I have family near Wilton, so if you are stuck, do let me know. I’ll send you a pm with the details of my kit. Will have to be this evening now as I’m at work

 

[Lolly Bee]

Yes please. What a superstar you are. Thank you. I too am at work so would be perfect.

 

[ericbeaumont]

My sort of mentor doesn't believe in treating for varroa (go figure)

Time to say bye-bye.

I met an experienced pro beekeeper today who lost 50% this winter. He'd experimented for many years with a winter OA trickle only...

 

[W0otz]

I can’t get my car close enough to use a car battery and one is too heavy for me to carry. Instead I use a mobility scooter battery. It’s small and light enough to carry in a shopping bag. It vaped all 6 colonies last year with charge left after each round. I can find the details if you are interested.

This is where the gasvap comes in handy. Blowtorch also useful for lighting smoker.