Varroa problem

[Pete Nicholson]

The reason for the post was not to deride anyone in particular, but to try to get across that beekeeping is all about making simple observations and acting on them - even if only by re-checking if the initial results were not clear.

No point in observing unless there is some benefit

That point is clear - and I do try to observe and act but sometimes the observation does not necessarily imply an action for a newbee - that is why I am on this forum: to learn.
regards
P.

 

[Pete Nicholson]

plaque on the clubhouse to commemorate the first finding of Varroa.

Pete

Thanks....and it's that attitude that makes us British!!

richard

Agree!!
P.

 

[busybee53]

Right so whats wrong with two hive owners? If I don't open hives without a clear reason for doing so and then pick a nice warm dry day to do it - obviously not at this time of the year- what else could be wrong?

Money, time and space have made me a two hive owner but I still care about the bees. Enough to brave a reply from Finman.

 

[REDWOOD]

Right so whats wrong with two hive owners? If I don't open hives without a clear reason for doing so and then pick a nice warm dry day to do it - obviously not at this time of the year- what else could be wrong?

Money, time and space have made me a two hive owner but I still care about the bees. Enough to brave a reply from Finman.

Nothing wrong with 2 hive owners, It is just the way many hive beekeepers have a slightly different philosophy on the way they keep bees. Just think every time you enter a hive you risk the chance of killing the queen and that is not a good thing to happen this time of year. The KISS approach is always the best.

 

[Finman]

That that is why I am on this forum: to learn.
regards
P.

I am on forum to teach

.

 

[Nic Rhodes]

And two hive owners need to be taught what is appropriate to their circumstances / area / bees / their apiary / even coun. Just about all my two hive owners are most interested in learning about their bees, how to keep them heathy, how to make them prosper. Things like honey product are just nice to haves and are a long way down the list of prorities. Most keep small Naional hives in the back gardens. They are even willing to buy new poly hives if they thing it would benefit their bees, costs effective that would never bee in my location but that is nopt why they keep bees.

 

[Finman]

.
some keep beehive looking compost bin in the garden.

http://www.tillysnest.com/2011/07/stackable-beehive-composter.html
.

 

[Outlander]

I am on forum to teach

.

Haluaisin sinun olevan minun opettaja. Aiotteko myös opettaa minulle suomea ja anna minun leikkiä mehiläisiä

 

[Finman]

plaque on the clubhouse to commemorate the first finding of Varroa.

Pete

Thanks....and it's that attitude that makes us British!!

richard

That is a nice attitude!

"1992 was the discovery date for varroa in the UK"

Varroa came to Finland over Russian border about 1975-77.
I killed my first varroa hive 1982. My hivs were 100 km from border.
It took about 10 years that mite spreaded over the country. It went about 50 km/year.

It was year 1988 when we officially got medicine from Germany. Many, like me, got unofficially Perizin from Germany before that official approvement.

You see, no treatment methods during first 10 years. Guys took their hives from eastern border and transported them to west ( with mites)


.

 

[Finman]

Haluaisin sinun olevan minun opettaja. Aiotteko myös opettaa minulle suomea ja anna minun leikkiä mehiläisiä

minä ei hyväksyä sellaista huono suomi. Sinä ei ymmärrä mitään jos minä sanoa jotain.

 

[beeno]

Hi Pete,
Thank you for your honesty in starting this thread. It has taught us newbies a lot. I am sure you are not a man who would be embarassed at stopping to ask for directions in the days before satnav.
Redwood great minds think differently (just teasing) and more teasing... arn't men exactly what they used to accuse us women of being - in this case 'squabbly'.

 

[Outlander]

minä ei hyväksyä sellaista huono suomi. Sinä ei ymmärrä mitään jos minä sanoa jotain.

Ymmärrän useimmat mitä sanot. Joskus se voi viedä aikaa työskennellä sen pois. Mutta myös haluan olla hieman hauskaa kanssasi pahantuulinen 50 pesää omistajia. Anyway nauttia päivä minun täytyy mennä.

 

[Outlander]

Sorry Fimny my Finnish is s bit rusty i mean Nokkosihottuma.

 

[Finman]

Sorry Fimny my Finnish is s bit rusty i mean Nokkosihottuma.

google translate level

 

[REDWOOD]

The only thing I know in Finnish is Kimi Raikkonen, who happens to be the best formula 1 driver ever, I love his attitude

 

[Outlander]

google translate level

Oh so funny Finny. I told you it was very rusty.

 

[Hivemaker.]

Kimi Raikkonen, who happens to be the best formula 1 driver ever

Number 22 out of 40.

http://f1greatestdrivers.autosport.com/?driver=22

 

[REDWOOD]

Third in Championship on return back to F1, is enough for me to put him at the top of my list

 

[Summerslease]

Apivar

My autumn treatment with apiguard wasn't very effective, probably the weather wasn't warm enough. One hive had a varroa drop of 16 a day last week when I checked. After reading this thread I bought some apivar from an online bee vet. I am pleased I didn't delay longer until December and oxalic treatment. I got a drop of 1500 mites in the first 24 hours.

The bees are so pleased that the hive temperature went up from 16 C to 22C (the same as my other hives). The varroa must have been crippling them. Only time will tell if they are fit enough to get through the winter.

Thanks for everyone's advice to treat promptly.

The squares in the photo are 5cmx5cm.

 

[Hivemaker.]

After reading this thread I bought some apivar from an online bee vet. I am pleased I didn't delay longer until December and oxalic treatment. I got a drop of 1500 mites in the first 24 hours.

Well done Summerlease,pleased to see the advice to obtain some Apivar has been helpful to at least one beekeeper on this thread.
Hope they make it through winter okay.