Spring treatment?

[Nannysbees]

Anyone going to use oxalic acid to vape their colonies this time of the year? I treated in August, then Nov/Dec. Is it worth doing it again just before they start to really expand the brood, or leave it for August?

 

[Erichalfbee]

I’m doing three before supers go on

 

[Amari]

I don't treat in spring but maybe I should?

 

[Murox]

Shouldn't the question should be whether treatment is needed, and if so what is the most appropriate substance and method? I understand varroa may be endemic but has testing for it become old fashioned?

 

[user 819]

I don't spring treat as often it may be too soon or cold to disrupt a colony to take a bee sample to sugar roll , the window then can be small before the early flows start from then on in I monitor with the odd sugar role to assess any mite load. Should mite load be deemed greater then the predicited 3% then I will oa treat for a brood cycle, either place newspaper between brood and supers to vape or simply remove supers during each vape then replace .

 

[jeff33]

Shouldn't the question should be whether treatment is needed, and if so what is the most appropriate substance and method? I understand varroa may be endemic but has testing for it become old fashioned?

I guess at this time of the year testing is a bit challenging other than by giving a OS blast and checking the drops?

 

[Swarm]

I would be more worried about the need for all these multiple varroa treatments.

 

[Erichalfbee]

I don't treat in spring but maybe I should?

I haven’t previously but the colonies that I Demaree are varroa factories so u think I will at least give them a good start

 

[Nannysbees]

Shouldn't the question should be whether treatment is needed, and if so what is the most appropriate substance and method? I understand varroa may be endemic but has testing for it become old fashioned?

I don't test for it usually treat August and Dec. How do you test?

 

[Nannysbees]

I don't treat in spring but maybe I should?

I just thought by treating with oxalic will put the varroa on the back foot going into spring!!!!

 

[The Poot]

I just thought by treating with oxalic will put the varroa on the back foot going into spring!!!!

If the varroa were hit hard in the Winter brood less period, I can’t see the need for another dose. I don’t suppose it will do any harm, but it seems unnecessary to me.

 

[jarmo henttu]

Anyone going to use oxalic acid to vape their colonies this time of the year? I treated in August, then Nov/Dec. Is it worth doing it again just before they start to really expand the brood, or leave it for August?

You may make a dust sugar test from your. But perhaps hives have started allready brooding.

 

[Gadgetman]

I don't test for it usually treat August and Dec. How do you test?

Most reliable test is an alcohol wash - which can also be done with fairy liquid! You need to sacrifice a cup full of bees (approx 300), but it gives you a very clear indication of load.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Most reliable test is an alcohol wash

sugar shake is just as reliable/effective - and you don't kill any bees

 

[user 819]

A sugar roll gives the same result as an alc wash but the end result is the bees still live and no bees need to be sacrificed.

Sugar roll any more then three mites then treat, invest in a reusable Abelo 4 in 1 test kit.

If vaping one can opt for a one off vape to check mite load after 24hrs or one has to cover a full brood cycle so four vapes again. If they have had a winter vape early to mid Dec then they shoul dbe a good position regarding mites.

 

[user 819]

Once spring is here and the forage is good , I select a nice warmish day and all colonies get a sugar roll. Simply dissolve the remnant sugar in abit of water and count any mites.
The Abelo cup has a fill line for the bees so one doesn't go too mad by over filling.
I use and older honey bucket to shake the bees from the comb into to collect my cup of bees.

 

[Nannysbees]

Most reliable test is an alcohol wash - which can also be done with fairy liquid! You need to sacrifice a cup full of bees (approx 300), but it gives you a very clear indication of load.

Nope not for me, could never sacrifice 300 bees!!!!

 

[pargyle]

Nope not for me, could never sacrifice 300 bees!!!!

Here you go ... no bees were harmed in this production !

 

[Parsonage Bees]

I don't test for it usually treat August and Dec. How do you test?

Surprised people are even mentioning alcohol wash or sugar shake tests at this time of year. LEAVE THEM BE. Wait till colony is building well (May?) before you sacrifice or torment 300 bees.

Over the winter you've only got the number of mites dropping through a mesh floor to guide you. People will say that mite drop is unreliable but what choice do you have. Last year, by the end of March I had one hive with 18 varroa dropping out per day, measured over 4 days (end of February 3v/day). Bit alarming. The other 5 hives showed no varroa after the same December OAD. (This one bad colony was treated differently in autumn but i don't want to confuse things)

Treated this one colony with Apivar for 4ish weeks before they needed a super. First time I've treated in spring. (Gave the colony to a friend so don't have any update.) I don't use OAV.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Nope not for me, could never sacrifice 300 bees!!!!

you don't need to, there are other better methods