What did you do in the Apiary today?

[dickndoris]

Checked all 4 hives today for varroa. Non at all on 3 hives now for 2 weeks but my troublesome hive was a drop of 40 today from 20-30 a day after treatment at New Year Eve. Decided to give my home made vapourizer a go at a last ditch attempt to try and get this problem sorted out as they are down to less than 3 seams now. They were not bothered in the slightest unlike the drizzle method!! We will see but I think I may lose this colony:-(

 

[FreeFall]

Zero mite drop for the third day running on my (one) colony, so looks like the OA on Jan 2nd has done its job. I had 30 per day before that and the week after treatment there were so many I gave up counting, guesstimate would be ~800 in the first ten days, at which point it fell off significantly.

Noticed today that I can see the cluster by looking up under the OMF after removing the inspection tray - seem to be across 6 frames and were very quiet until I exhaled, when there was a definite roar from them. I didn't blow on them, just exhaled gently with my head stuck under the back of the hive, so they are either super-sensitive to the CO2/warmth/something else - or I need to visit my hygienist more often!

 

[drstitson]

800 is a lot.

how did you treat in summer/autumn?

 

[user 6228]

Time: 7am: outside -4C, yesterday: Sunny
Alwaysfoam:16C floor, 20C top
Waswood: 16C top of brood bottom/top of super

 

[FreeFall]

800 is a lot.

how did you treat in summer/autumn?

There were a lot yes. Maybe 800 is over-estimating (wildly?) but there were certainly 500. I used Apistan strips when I got them in June, which seemed to make no difference at all. I then used ALV at the end of August - quarter of a strip in each corner for four weeks, changed weekly. I sat this on top of the frames in the half-brood and think maybe I should have put them on top of the bottom brood box frames - I also left the entrance open a fair way.

I'll know better this year!

Took another look at the tray this morning and still no mites, there are a lot more wax cappings now that it's colder (minus 7 C here last night) which means I can stop worrying about separation starvation, at least for a little while

Nick

 

[drstitson]

"I used Apistan strips when I got them in June, which seemed to make no difference at all."

Not surprising since pyrethroid resistance is almost universal across the UK. why did you chose them as first line treatment?

 

[Headnavigator]

Quick check without removing insulation in chilly sunlight to make sure they still have plenty of fondant, as all I can see are chewed cappings under the hive this week. Answer yes, plenty fondant. if I didn't know better I'd guess they are using honey stores in preference to fondant - didn't think that was supposed to happen?
Laser temperature probe through the entrance under the cluster tells me they are nice and warm - 9*C while external temp of cedar is zero.

 

[Skyhook]

"I used Apistan strips when I got them in June, which seemed to make no difference at all."

Not surprising since pyrethroid resistance is almost universal across the UK.

Not necessarily. When beeks have stopped using it in an area the selection pressure is gone, and resistance tails off again. Probably not the first thing to reach for, but I've had good results with apistan and would use it again, eg I may use it this spring if OA wasn't fully effective due to brood levels. I hate massacreing drones, and this may be a useful alternative component in my IPM.

.

 

[drstitson]

"When beeks have stopped using it in an area the selection pressure is gone, and resistance tails off again"

agreed - resistance has a high cost to the organism so preferentially lost hence the idea of keeping apistan in armoury for a quick hit every 3-4 years.

My point was that it shouldn't be first line. especially when HM thymol recipe is so cheap and easy.

 

[FreeFall]

Not surprising since pyrethroid resistance is almost universal across the UK. why did you chose them as first line treatment?

Ignorance, plain and simple. I went on to the web site I got my hives from, clicked on the mite control section and bought whatever looked like it would do the job. Then I bought more books, discovered this wonderful forum and now know better! I will definitely be trying HM's thymol syrup recipe this year - a tub of crystals is currently stored and waiting

 

[Erichalfbee]

I will definitely be trying HM's thymol syrup recipe this year - a tub of crystals is currently stored and waiting

The stuff that goes on oasis is for mites, syrup for Nosema prevention.

 

[user 6228]

Time: 7.30am: outside -7C, yesterday: Sunny
Alwaysfoam:13C floor, 22C top
Waswood: 18C top of brood/ bottom of super

btw a couple of scouts? flying & returning from Waswood at 10am (-3C) (waswood is in bright sunlight)

 

[Pete D]

Got my daughter to help me move 4 hives about 30 yds further down the field away from my house last night, by moon light. Thought I would the the opportunity whilst we have a cold spell to move them in one go. Placed a bit of shrubbery up against the entrance to make them realise that something has changed when the re emerge from their huddle.
Got some new stands to put them on so will finalise the positioning (last few inches) at the weekend.

Pete D

 

[Poggle]

Minus 8c at the allotment at 08.00 this morning. Bees all huddled in both hives, fondant going at a fast rate. One hive didn't move when I had a look, the other made "noises" and told me to bugger of type thing.

 

[Chris Luck]

What are you using to see your bees Poggle?

Chris

 

[Poggle]

What are you using to see your bees Poggle?

Chris

It is light at 8am here. Other than that I carry a small torch with me coz I was told that all beeks should carry a torch to see into the deepest and darkest corners of their hives.......

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

all beeks should carry a torch to see into the deepest and darkest corners of their hives.......

not to mention their souls!

 

[Chris Luck]

Ahh, what I meant was how do you see your bees, for example do you use an Inspection Camera or do you get under the hives and look through the OMF?

Chris

 

[Poggle]

Ahh, what I meant was how do you see your bees, for example do you use an Inspection Camera or do you get under the hives and look through the OMF?

Chris

Oh, sorry Chris!! I take the roof of then the insulation then the crown board, have as good and as quick a look as I can with it being so cold, add the fondant if needed then everything back on again.

 

[Monsieur Abeille]

Oh, sorry Chris!! I take the roof of then the insulation then the crown board, have as good and as quick a look as I can with it being so cold, add the fondant if needed then everything back on again.

I'd have thought in this weather disturbing them like that is not a good idea.