The varroa solution

[Penninetrader]

I'll tell you how I make up and place my baits if you ask in the new year.

I will definitely do that, thank you

 

[Andy]

I'll tell you how I make up and place my baits if you ask in the new year.

I'll be interested in any top tips as I was going to scatter some bait nucs around the area as well (friends allowing)

 

[madasafish]

My bait hives collect abut 4 swarms a year. On average three out of four contain marked queens.

 

[Erichalfbee]

My bait hives collect abut 4 swarms a year. On average three out of four contain marked queens.

My bait hives do really well with an old used brood frame. Never caught a marked queen in 13 years even though many swarms are primes.

 

[Newbeeneil]

My bait hives do really well with an old used brood frame. Never caught a marked queen in 13 years even though many swarms are primes.

Interestingly I have had about 10-20% of my captured swarms with marked queens. I only got 13 swarms in 2024 but 31 in 2023. Some years are better than others but I normally put out 20 or so bait hives.

 

[Murox]

Just an observation really.... up here I'm lucky if I even hear about 5 swarms a year, but then, I imagine the density of beekeepers is far less than it is a few dozen miles south.

 

[Amari]

I'll be interested in any top tips as I was going to scatter some bait nucs around the area as well (friends allowing)

My bait hives collect abut 4 swarms a year. On average three out of four contain marked queens.

My bait hives do really well with an old used brood frame. Never caught a marked queen in 13 years even though many swarms are primes.

Interestingly I have had about 10-20% of my captured swarms with marked queens. I only got 13 swarms in 2024 but 31 in 2023. Some years are better than others but I normally put out 20 or so bait hives.

I'm puzzled by all you swarm collectors! My problem is keeping my colonies at no more than five. Just a few swarm-control measures increase the colony count like topsy! Why do you collect swarms and what do you do with them?
Dani, presumably you will have to chuck your bait hives if you aim to keep just two colonies after your projected house-move........

 

[Erichalfbee]

Dani, presumably you will have to chuck your bait hives if you aim to keep just two colonies after your projected house-move........

Sadly I will have to chuck plenty of things.

Who can resist free bees. Watching the activity at a bait hive ramp up over days culminating in the arrival of a swarm is better than any tele. Watching them grow is a real treat. I give all but one away. The one that remains gets assimilated into the apiary.
I’ve got pretty good at reducing after swarm control because I’ve thrown some sentiment out of the window.

 

[Newbeeneil]

I'm puzzled by all you swarm collectors! My problem is keeping my colonies at no more than five. Just a few swarm-control measures increase the colony count like topsy! Why do you collect swarms and what do you do with them?
Dani, presumably you will have to chuck your bait hives if you aim to keep just two colonies after your projected house-move........

The reason I bait and collect swarms is to stop them taking up residence in chimneys or generally in peoples houses.
I have charged several hundred pounds for removing them from buildings but some charge several thousand which is circumvented by catching them.

 

[JamezF]

The reason I bait and collect swarms is to stop them taking up residence in chimneys or generally in peoples houses.

Me too. It costs me little to do so and given that I have the necessary skills it just seems like a socially responsible thing to do.

James

 

[Sutty]

Me too. It costs me little to do so and given that I have the necessary skills it just seems like a socially responsible thing to do.

James

I'd agree, especially as most of us are likely to be guilty of "losing" a swarm at some point, and they can cause others significant trouble and expense.
I usually have 2 or 3 bait hives around in the season despite the fact I struggle to keep colony numbers down!
I need to do some unites in March!!

 

[Sutty]

No one seems to report on culling their most varroa affected colonies each year to move towards resistance without unacceptable losses.
Thoughts??

 

[JamezF]

No one seems to report on culling their most varroa affected colonies each year to move towards resistance without unacceptable losses.
Thoughts??

Surely if you were of a mind to do that then you'd just requeen from a "better-performing" colony?

James

 

[Sutty]

Surely if you were of a mind to do that then you'd just requeen from a "better-performing" colony?

James

By culling I was only meaning the genetic line ie the queen, though treatment at that point might also be appropriate. Could then also unite the rest of the bees with a better colony.
The idea would be to not lose too many colonies but still select for varroa resistance.

 

[Penninetrader]

By culling I was only meaning the genetic line ie the queen, though treatment at that point might also be appropriate. Could then also unite the rest of the bees with a better colony.
The idea would be to not lose too many colonies but still select for varroa resistance.

Now your talking, but careful not to rile the natives. Some good husbandry along the way will do no harm. Everything depends on your objectives, many rely on the income from bee products and that will always influence. Longer term this can only go one way and the status quo will not be it imho

 

[Sutty]

I think going treatment free is too much of a step for small number beekeepers who then risk losing all their colonies.
Whereas moving more slowly in the same direction may be acceptable, and potentially more effective.

 

[JamezF]

I think going treatment free is too much of a step for small number beekeepers who then risk losing all their colonies.
Whereas moving more slowly in the same direction may be acceptable, and potentially more effective.

From memory, I'm sure I've read a piece by someone who was adequately-qualified to know what they were talking about (ie. had a good understanding of genetics and statistics) suggesting that the piecemeal approach is very unlikely to work (at least, without full control of the gene pool, which probably puts it out of the reach of most "hobby" beeks). I've been trying to remember where for several days, but so far without success. If I can find it, I'll post a link.

James

 

[Penninetrader]

I think going treatment free is too much of a step for small number beekeepers who then risk losing all their colonies.
Whereas moving more slowly in the same direction may be acceptable, and potentially more effective.

That is why I an reticent to criticise.

 

[Penninetrader]

From memory, I'm sure I've read a piece by someone who was adequately-qualified to know what they were talking about (ie. had a good understanding of genetics and statistics) suggesting that the piecemeal approach is very unlikely to work (at least, without full control of the gene pool, which probably puts it out of the reach of most "hobby" beeks). I've been trying to remember where for several days, but so far without success. If I can find it, I'll post a link.

James

Yes , I have read much the same. But an all or nothing will not wash with current attitudes and thinking. As many have just indicated in regards to swarms, yourself included, that the majority are at least one generation feral, no marked queen, it might be a way forward to isolate and leave untreated such colonies. The key to the necessary change is imo the drones and that will require identification of areas best suited for mating resistant queens via drones produced by same.

 

[JamezF]

I suspect that many swarms are not actually genuinely feral. I'd not be surprised to find that an awful lot of beeks with two or three hives don't bother to mark their queens. I didn't even attempt to do so for quite a few years because I don't seem to be very good at spotting them.

James