Varroa control in May?

[Father Fox]

I have heard that due to the mild winter, aracnids, mites and insects are going to be around in larger numbers than recent years. If this is also true for Varroa, then what control measures are suitable for May, June, July, when chemical controls might affect the honey?

 

[Gilberdyke John]

I have heard that due to the mild winter, aracnids, mites and insects are going to be around in larger numbers than recent years. If this is also true for Varroa, then what control measures are suitable for May, June, July, when chemical controls might affect the honey?

Is Apistan still ok in your locality?

 

[Tom Bick]

Drone cull is easy and effective

 

[Heather]

Have been chatting to my brother, beekeeper in Lancs. He is having drop of 100's a week. Very bad sign.
Hope I advised ok,..said remove super temporarily. Dump brood and shook swarm to new foundation. Treat. (I actually said with Apiguard, but on reflection should be Oxalic. ) Return super after treatment.

Inspection tray is just that. Pop in for 24 hrs once a fortnight to get a picture of what is happening in the hive.

 

[davnig]

MAQS would be an option

 

[Heather]

Thanks for that thought. I haven't used, so forgot to look at other options.

 

[herefordshirehoney]

Drone cull is easy and effective

Sorry to hijack the thread - I've already put one 1 super frame in my hives and been through at least 1 cull cycle. When do you usually take this off, is 1 or 2 cycle's usually enough? (my bee's are on the OSR at the moment).

 

[Pete D]

Sorry to hijack the thread - I've already put one 1 super frame in my hives and been through at least 1 cull cycle. When do you usually take this off, is 1 or 2 cycle's usually enough? (my bee's are on the OSR at the moment).

I find that after 2 cycles they build worker cells so I normally remove after 2.

 

[Arfermo]

MAQS would be an option

MAQS recommended by some (including the makers of course) but not yet proven trustworthy imo (queens put off lay and even expiring some say). As advised above, shook swarm best and then oxalic. The problem is that you lose all the BIAS that were in the old BB. Worth the sacrifice if mite numbers are overwhelming. After a Shook Swarm the bees tend to get cracking very quickly on the new foundation. Frames of stores from the old BB can be transferred as this will used for comb building but avoid any that have large amount brood on them as well. Scratch the cappings a little too. Alternatively some light syrup feeding could help them along if no choice.

 

[drstitson]

OA last new year?
queen trapping in early july?

 

[Swarm]

MAQS recommended by some (including the makers of course) but not yet proven trustworthy imo (queens put off lay and even expiring some say).

And what about the reports of successful treatments using this stuff?

 

[Heather]

I am not sure if he did OA in Dec/Jan and think this colony, huge though it is, will benefit from just queen trapping. Too far down the line.
Needs to rectify initially, treat and then maybe look to July to gather the remainders. But he's just one step on from beginner so taking it gently.