Varroa Alert

[Newbeeneil]

Apparently, beekeepers in the US found vaporizing unsatisfactory when the bees were tightly clustered. The vapour is not pressurised and therefore does not penetrate the cluster effectively enough. So that may be the issue. I have got a couple of hives with the brood nest to one side facing west as it happens.

I have one facing east!

 

[Apple]

Apparently, beekeepers in the US found vaporizing unsatisfactory when the bees were tightly clustered. The vapour is not pressurised and therefore does not penetrate the cluster effectively enough. So that may be the issue. I have got a couple of hives with the brood nest to one side facing west as it happens.

I have a few facing South

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I think if I check all my hives they could box the compass

 

[BugsInABox]

Apparently, beekeepers in the US found vaporizing unsatisfactory when the bees were tightly clustered. The vapour is not pressurised and therefore does not penetrate the cluster effectively enough. So that may be the issue. I have got a couple of hives with the brood nest to one side facing west as it happens.

The Apiarist blog covered this exact issue this week. Headline was tightest cluster not formed till pretty low temperatures so vapour likely to penetrate unless coldest of uk days.

https://www.theapiarist.org/the-winter-cluster/

Edit: just reread. He suggests threshold of 8 degrees but acknowledges little evidence to support that.

 

[Erichalfbee]

The Apiarist blog covered this exact issue this week. Headline was tightest cluster not formed till pretty low temperatures so vapour likely to penetrate unless coldest of uk days.

https://www.theapiarist.org/the-winter-cluster/

Edit: just reread. He suggests threshold of 8 degrees but acknowledges little evidence to support that.

Interesting article this week in re using Amitraz treated supers and the effect of Amitraz on queens.

 

[Beegarden]

On the subject of Varroa, I came across the following website recently, and would be interested in your various considered views on it:
How to Use Essential Oils for Honey Bee Mite Control - BeeKeepClub I was thinking of using the Tea Tree trickle next year on a regular basis, with a view to keeping the count lower than this year. Is there any known scientific evidence that you have heard of? Would it be on a par/better than sugar dusting? Thanks guys.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Sugar dusting is a rather low level to set the bar isn't it? in fact, it's just leaving it lie on the ground.

 

[Boston Bees]

On the subject of Varroa, I came across the following website recently, and would be interested in your various considered views on it:
How to Use Essential Oils for Honey Bee Mite Control - BeeKeepClub I was thinking of using the Tea Tree trickle next year on a regular basis, with a view to keeping the count lower than this year. Is there any known scientific evidence that you have heard of? Would it be on a par/better than sugar dusting? Thanks guys.

Wow, so many completely scientifically-unsubstantiated claims in one article.

Rather than the Tee Tree trickle I would suggest just singing to the bees - this may also reduce the level of varroa?

 

[Beegarden]

Oh dear, that bad, eh?

 

[Beegarden]

I think my singing would make the bees crawl away, let alone the varroa!

 

[Apple]

I think my singing would make the bees crawl away, let alone the varroa!

My Cornish bees sing Trewlany... the Devon ones just hum along!!

Nadelik Lowen

 

[Erichalfbee]

Essential oils for honey bee mite control offer beekeepers that are mindful about their footprint on the environment to practice beekeeping without resorting to chemicals.

Sigh..........

 

[madasafish]

As local temperatures have rarely risen to 8c this month and it's about 4C now after a heavy frost, I am fairly confident that there is little if any brood.

I don't open hives in December for any reason. LASI are based in the warm South. I tend to ignore what Southern beekeepers say they do in Winter. It is irrelevant to me.

 

[Curly green finger's]

On the subject of Varroa, I came across the following website recently, and would be interested in your various considered views on it:
How to Use Essential Oils for Honey Bee Mite Control - BeeKeepClub I was thinking of using the Tea Tree trickle next year on a regular basis, with a view to keeping the count lower than this year. Is there any known scientific evidence that you have heard of? Would it be on a par/better than sugar dusting? Thanks guys.

I've read a few natural beekeeping books... Thought about the same thing then.
You would be better of planting as much lavender, oragano, thyme, with in the visinity of your hives they can benefit from the pollen / nectar and maybe other things.

I use lavender in my smoker... I think this is now a bit of a hippy jippy thing to do and is better smelling nice rather than like a bonfire!

Frohe weihnachten!
Merry Christmas...

 

[Beegarden]

Thank you all for your comments, which I do value. Thank you Curly green fingers, I already have several Lavender, Thyme, Mint and Russian Sage, all of which they make a beeline for. (great how they have been adopted into our language). I may try a Tea Tree spray in the Spring just as an experiment, but it sounds like I shall be disappointed. Merry/if not, Safe Christmas to you all.

 

[happyculteur]

On the subject of Varroa, I came across the following website recently, and would be interested in your various considered views on it:
How to Use Essential Oils for Honey Bee Mite Control - BeeKeepClub I was thinking of using the Tea Tree trickle next year on a regular basis, with a view to keeping the count lower than this year. Is there any known scientific evidence that you have heard of? Would it be on a par/better than sugar dusting? Thanks guys.

I've tried tea tree, thyme, lavender etc. There's also a biodynamic method (which I haven't tried) where you boil up dead varroa whilst chanting an incantation then you do other things which I've forgotten and spray it in the hive. I'm not sure of the time of night or the position of the moon. I think they are all of equal effect. Between zeo and zero point one light years from having any measurable effect.

 

[Gilberdyke John]

I've read a few natural beekeeping books... Thought about the same thing then.
You would be better of planting as much lavender, oragano, thyme, with in the visinity of your hives they can benefit from the pollen / nectar and maybe other things.

I use lavender in my smoker... I think this is now a bit of a hippy jippy thing to do and is better smelling nice rather than like a bonfire!

Frohe weihnachten!
Merry Christmas...

Marijuana next? Would seem appropriate for hippie Beekeepers

 

[pargyle]

Essential oils for honey bee mite control offer beekeepers that are mindful about their footprint on the environment to practice beekeeping without resorting to chemicals.

Sigh..........

Oh my ...that statement upsets even my left field equilibrium ! They might as well treat the bees .... what a load of cobblers !

 

[madasafish]

Essential oils for honey bee mite control offer beekeepers that are mindful about their footprint on the environment to practice beekeeping without resorting to chemicals.

Sigh..........

Don't mock the braindead at Christmas.
(any other time is fine)

 

[victor meldrew]

Essential oils aren’t produced naturally !
Just an observation from the brain dead . To the snake oil salesmen