Still seeing varroa on varroa board

[Etton]

After one day saw 20+ varroa. Have treated with Apiguard, finished about 2 weeks ago... a little late. Does apiguard keep working after removal, is 20+ a lot in 24 hours...any suggestions?

 

[oliver90owner]

Don't know. After a 6(?) week treatment, most should be dead. BUT apigaurd does not work too well in cold conditions and we have not had it that warm of late.

I suspect two things - firstly your original varroa loads were excessive and secondly, the treatment has not been too effective. Your bees are possibly now running the risk of viral infections, due to varroa feeding on them at the pupation stage, reducing their winter survival prospects. It may not be the case, but if the high drops continue I would be considering an oxalic treatment at some point.

Good luck with overwintering.

 

[Blaz]

I don't know if this is relevant, but after I treated with MAQ's strips, I had varroa still dropping a few days later (that is, after the end of treatment). Could it be that the dead mites remain attached to their host until dislodged? This did worry me at the time but now the drop is down to 2 in a week.
Hopefully I haven't muddied the waters...

 

[Hivemaker.]

Could it be that the dead mites remain attached to their host until dislodged?

Yes, dead in the sealed cells of brood and only dropping/being removed when the young bees emerge.

 

[oliver90owner]

It is not relevant. Formic is a different treatment to thymol. The subtle difference is that formic will kill mites in the capped cells whereas thymol does not. That may make a large difference. So, yes, you did muddy the waters.