Varroa at this time of year?

[thedozzer]

Found a bee outside the front of the hive this morning that had got to cold, picked it up to warm it up (yes im soft) and while it was coming round i noticed a varroa clinging on to its wing, got some tweeters and picked it off and put it under the microscope, its was alive and well (until i threw it in the woodburner)

We put 2 Apivar strips in for 6 weeks and only took them out 3 weeks ago, should we treat again? I have only seen one on the inspection tray, but i know this is not a great indicator.

The weather has been very mild here, bees out every day and still taking down invert, so slightly worried that if they have plenty of brood will the varroa population be increasing? don't want the colony to go into winter with high varroa loading.

 

[Hebeegeebee]

Did the Apivar have a good knock-down?
Feeding in mid November? Really?
And yes, the varroa population could be increasing. Less than 6 weeks until the shortest day and oxalic time (for me anyway).

 

[Ian123]

If your not finding many on the inspection tray then it’s reasonable to assume the apivar did it’s job. You did the treatment at a time to protect young winter bees all I would do is follow up with a winter treatment of oxalic. No harm in feeding now if it’s needed I have a late cut out that will be getting a top up tomorrow

 

[thedozzer]

Did the Apivar have a good knock-down?
Feeding in mid November? Really?
And yes, the varroa population could be increasing. Less than 6 weeks until the shortest day and oxalic time (for me anyway).

Hi
We have never had many varroa on the inspection board, but got around 10 every 2-3 days after about 3 weeks of Apivar. but had none after the 5th week!
Have been told that its Ok to feed Syrup as long as its above about 15c and it has been most days for the last few weeks, they are still taking it and its thymolated so should keep some lurgies at bay.

Keep reading that people will Vape or dribble oxalic near Christmas but don't want to do more harm than good.

 

[thedozzer]

If your not finding many on the inspection tray then it’s reasonable to assume the apivar did it’s job. You did the treatment at a time to protect young winter bees all I would do is follow up with a winter treatment of oxalic. No harm in feeding now if it’s needed I have a late cut out that will be getting a top up tomorrow

Hi
Thanks for the reassurance,
Are you vaporising or dribbling?

 

[beeno]

Hi
We have never had many varroa on the inspection board, but got around 10 every 2-3 days after about 3 weeks of Apivar. but had none after the 5th week!
Have been told that its Ok to feed Syrup as long as its above about 15c and it has been most days for the last few weeks, they are still taking it and its thymolated so should keep some lurgies at bay.

Keep reading that people will Vape or dribble oxalic near Christmas but don't want to do more harm than good.

May I suggest that some insects like ants are carrying them away from the inspection board.

 

[Beefriendly]

Keep reading that people will Vape or dribble oxalic near Christmas but don't want to do more harm than good.

No-one likes harming bees. There are good reasons for dribbling/vaping during what is usually a brood-less period.

 

[thedozzer]

May I suggest that some insects like ants are carrying them away from the inspection board.

Hi Beeno
they did at first (got a pic in my album) but used grease on all the hive stand legs to stop them getting up, and after some advice on here used veg oil on inspection board to stop the varroa running away, even them we have had very low mite count, just sods law if it increases over winter!