Varroa treatment now

[menteth]

Hi Everyone,
is it too late to do a winter varroa treatment.
(I didn’t get the chance to oxalic in December).

If so, what treatment would you suggest?

I’m In Glos UK.
5 hives.
14x12 Nat

thanks everyone

 

[Amari]

Hi Everyone,
is it too late to do a winter varroa treatment.
(I didn’t get the chance to oxalic in December).

If so, what treatment would you suggest?

I’m In Glos UK.
5 hives.
14x12 Nat

thanks everyone

You're likely to have sealed brood by now so OA won't reach the breeding mites within. On a 'warm' day this week maybe lift out a brood frame to check?

 

[pargyle]

OA by sublimation will knock the mite population down ... if you put the inspection board in and use that as an indicator - if you get a large drop on the board after sublimating then another go after 5 days will get the emerging mites. I doubt that, after the recent cold spell there is going to be much brood in there. A cheapo pan evaporator or a Gasvap will do the job and you have the kit for the future. Undoubtedly the best and most effective treatment at this time of the year.

 

[menteth]

Yes, you’re right, I’ll be checking later this week.

my question thus remains, so to simplify:
with some sealed brood, how do I treat for varroa at this time of year?
(Or shall I leave until early summer)?

 

[menteth]

OA by sublimation will knock the mite population down ... if you put the inspection board in and use that as an indicator - if you get a large drop on the board after sublimating then another go after 5 days will get the emerging mites. I doubt that, after the recent cold spell there is going to be much brood in there. A cheapo pan evaporator or a Gasvap will do the job and you have the kit for the future. Undoubtedly the best and most effective treatment at this time of the year.

 

[menteth]

Hi Pargyle, manyvthanks for this.
This is what I’ll do then.
Brilliant advice

 

[hemo]

Early summer will likely have honey supers on so not a good time to treat.
If you carried out autumn treatment then the winter bees are pretty much safe.
For sealed brood vaping will need 3 x vapes at 5 day intervals otherwise you are in the Maq's corner.

 

[Ian123]

Yes, you’re right, I’ll be checking later this week.

my question thus remains, so to simplify:
with some sealed brood, how do I treat for varroa at this time of year?
(Or shall I leave until early summer)?

I’m often in the hives weather permitting early/mid March just treat then or vape now if you wish. Avoid thymol based as average temps won’t be enough.

 

[pargyle]

Yes, you’re right, I’ll be checking later this week.

my question thus remains, so to simplify:
with some sealed brood, how do I treat for varroa at this time of year?
(Or shall I leave until early summer)?

Like I said .. Get yourself the means to treat them by sublimating with Oxalic Acid ... you can treat them now and the inspection board will tell you whether you have a high mite load and then a further treatment by sublimation will sort out the majority of mites in the cells.

Here you go ...10 minutes reading will tell you all you need to know:

https://www.theapiarist.org/tag/sublimation/