Varroa question

[popcornpie]

This week I noticed a few bees behaving strangely at the entrance to their hive. They are standing in a line facing outwards as if they want to fly but can't. Their wings look ok to me. The hive is made up of two small swarms which I united at the end of April. They have a laying Queen who is quite prolific and they seem to be doing well otherwise.

I put the varroa Inspection board in and there was a drop of 50 the first day and 34 on the second day. Is this a problem? My other hives had only one or two each.

I was planning to treat all three hives with Apiguard around Sept time. Can I wait till then or should I start treatment of this hive now? I have one tray left over from last year so I could start them off and order some more. I'm not going to be taking any honey from this hive this year so that's not a problem but is it too early to treat with Apiguard? What if the weather gets hot again? Would it help to dust them with icing sugar first?

 

[Swarm]

If you are not harvesting from this colony, I'd go ahead and treat them now.

 

[Millet]

Even if i was harvesting i would have gassed them within the hour and removed the supers if i was selling but for my own use leave them on, that is vaping though as i will use nothing else at the moment.

 

[charlievictorbravo]

I agree with the above comments - treat as soon as possible. The natural drop is way too high so zap 'em pdq.

CVB

 

[popcornpie]

Thank you everyone. Just one more question. I don't have a vape thingy so is it ok to use Apiguard even if the weather turns out hot?

 

[pargyle]

Thank you everyone. Just one more question. I don't have a vape thingy so is it ok to use Apiguard even if the weather turns out hot?

There is always a risk using aromatic treatments when the weather is hot .. the bees generally dislike these treatments - you will see them hanging out on the front of the hive when you put them in ...

Whilst you need a minimum temp of about 25 degrees for Apiguard to be effective there are also cautions about when it is very hot. The treatment is a four week treatment (2 doses over 2 weeks) and it has a downside insomuch as it can put the queen off laying. You should read the points at 11 & 12 here:

http://www.vita-europe.com/wp-content/uploads/Apiguard.pdf

To be perfectly honest I won't use any of the thymol based treatments - Millet is right - the kindest, safest and quickest treatment at any time of the year is OA by sublimation. With the current cost of Apiguard nudging £30 for a 10 pack it's almost as cheap to purchase one of the budget vapourisers such as Vapmite from Thornes at £35 (others are available). I'll happily post you up enough OA to do a three treatment Vape - I bought 5 Kg of the stuff for next to nothing and it will last the rest of my days I reckon !

(I don't treat my bees - although with a daily mite drop exceeding 50 ~ as long it was a consistent drop EVERY day of 50 and not just a spike - I would be seriously considering reaching for the treatment for that hive. I've seen the occasional spike in mite drop of that ilk and within a day or two it's been back down to what I consider to be manageable levels. But .. if you are seeing signs of DWV or lethargy then you do need to treat.)

 

[B+.]

I bought 5 Kg of the stuff for next to nothing and it will last the rest of my days I reckon !

You mustn't clean that boat of yours very often ;-)

 

[colinc]

Even using the high 3.5g dose, that is 1428 hive treatments. You should be good for a while yet. Especially as you don't treat unless necessary.
I've got 500g to "clean my hives" with, thought that would last me long enough.


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[popcornpie]

Thank you so much, Pargyle. I've never seen that Vapemite before. I will definitely be popping along to Thornes to buy one this week. I have pm'd my address. Do I need to wear a special mask and gloves to use it?

 

[Millet]

Thank you so much, Pargyle. I've never seen that Vapemite before. I will definitely be popping along to Thornes to buy one this week. I have pm'd my address. Do I need to wear a special mask and gloves to use it?

You are better of with a good face mask and goggles, i don't use any protective equipment as i'm careful and keep out of the way of the vapour which you seriously do not want to breath in, when i first got the equipment i did accidentally get a whiff of the vapour when testing it out and it is certainly something i will not do again.

 

[Swarm]

Better safe than sorry, PP3 grade mask and some goggles. Even then, don't lurk around the hive while treating.

 

[pargyle]

You mustn't clean that boat of yours very often ;-)

That was part of the reasoning for 5Kg ...

Even using the high 3.5g dose, that is 1428 hive treatments. You should be good for a while yet. Especially as you don't treat unless necessary.
I've got 500g to "clean my hives" with, thought that would last me long enough.

It seemed so cheap to buy 5Kg that it seemed like a good idea at the time .. I think, in total, I've used about 25gms so far (all on other people colonies !) ... it's going to last a long time ...

Really does work though this hive cleaner ... leaves the hives really clean. Seeing the cost of the thymol based treatments these days I reckon there's almost a sideline business treating colonies with OA by sublimation.