treating varoa

[paulgid]

i have an hive that as swarmed was treated with oxalic acid in the winter.
but there was on average five mite drops a day.there is no broad left in the hive but there is a virgin queen would it be a good idea to treat hive with oxalic acid or lactic acid.
regards paul

 

[richardbees]

"would it be a good idea to treat hive with oxalic acid or lactic acid"

NO NO NO NO NO NO !

just leave them alone - and hope she starts laying

richard

 

[oliver90owner]

I think Richard might mean wait until she has mated and starts to lay (and still hope it is worker brood!) before considering treatments.

It is far too early to be sure she will mate successfully, so don't go 'rocking the boat' at this stage!

RAB

 

[Midland Beek]

I aim to spray 15% lactic acid on any colonies of mine this year that are broodless. But I take my chances if there is amongst them a virgin queen trying to mate.

Oxalic acid in sugar syrup is a low volume treatment only really suitable for trickling in the winter and when the bees are clustering. Trickle into a broodless colony after a swarm has left and how many bees is the treatment going to come into contact with? Not many ... hence the higher volume lactic acid spray.

 

[richardbees]

exactly RAB !

....it's far more important to leave them alone to give the Q the best chance.

richard