Winter treatments with supers on.

[McGinty]

Hi everyone.
2nd year beekeeper here. 1st year with honey.
I have 3 hives and have given each 7 frames of honey back after their Autumn treatment (apivar strips) and back up fondant. I have the supers under the brood boxes.
I've been trawling the internet for information but am still confused. My questions are ...
Are there any winter varroa treatment options available to use with supers on? Can I reuse the drawn comb frames after?

Many thanks
McGinty

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Are there any winter varroa treatment options available to use with supers on? Can I reuse the drawn comb frames after?

oxalic acid, either trickle or sublimation is the only sensible winter treatment, and yes, you can still use the shallows and the comb for honey supers next year.

 

[McGinty]

oxalic acid, either trickle or sublimation is the only sensible winter treatment, and yes, you can still use the shallows and the comb for honey supers next year.

Thank you for replying. I'll get some ordered in time for solstice

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I'll get some ordered in time for solstice

doesn't necessarily have to be the solstice (that's a bit of an old wive's tale now) even if this cold snap doesn't continue, it has been found that most years, end of November/early December is the time most likely to find them broodless.

 

[McGinty]

doesn't necessarily have to be the solstice (that's a bit of an old wive's tale now) even if this cold snap doesn't continue, it has been found that most years, end of November/early December is the time most likely to find them broodless.

Ah right ok, that's good to know thank you. I was going by what David Bonner said on one of the BBKA zoom videos on their YouTube.

 

[Do224]

doesn't necessarily have to be the solstice (that's a bit of an old wive's tale now) even if this cold snap doesn't continue, it has been found that most years, end of November/early December is the time most likely to find them broodless.

Are you planning to do a single vape sometime soon? My understanding is that it’s best to do it as soon as it warms up a bit after a cold snap….so I’ve been considering doing it in a few days time. But my gut tells me it’s a couple of weeks premature….should I wait for the next cold snap and do it after that? Interested to know when you’ll be doing yours…

 

[drex]

It has been shown that colonies are more likely to be broodless in November rather than Dec/Jan. I would normally have vaped by now, but it has been so mild, that I will vape after this cold spell.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

My understanding is that it’s best to do it as soon as it warms up a bit after a cold snap….so I’ve been considering doing it in a few days time. But my gut tells me it’s a couple of weeks premature

you don't want to be doing it during a very cold period as the bees will be tightly clustered and you want theem to bee loosely clustered (or not at all) so that the OA is spread on all the bees as soon as possible, I reckon you will be fine doing it once it warms up a bit