From Carolyn Breece:
It’s May and we’ve been so busy with bees….my apologies for the late email.
How are your colonies looking? Have you done a mite check for May yet? If not, please do ASAP! We have noticed rising mite levels in our own colonies. We need to treat right away.
May and June are the months of massive colony growth…and with brood production, we have mite production! Let’s keep those mite levels low through this critical period.
I recommend treating even if your mites are on the low end of the threshold level (in other words, 1% infestation or 3 mites out of 300 bees in your sample). This is because most of your mites will be hidden in the capped brood cells, so we err on the low end.
Recommended:
Formic Pro – GREAT time of year for this! It kills mites underneath the cappings. Low spring temps can mean lower risk to brood and the queen.
Ok but with reservations. None of these kill mites under the cappings. This is where most of your mites are right now.
Oxalic Acid/VarroxSan – minimally effective since you have a lot of capped brood with mites underneath. Use only if you have a low mite count already. Ok to use with honey supers.
HopGuard – OK but also has a long treatment period and does not kill mites under cappings. OK to use with honey supers.
Apiguard – good product but not to be used with honey supers
ApiVar – It’s not the best time of year for ApiVar. The treatment period is 42-56 days….. you cannot have these strips on when honey supers are on.
Not recommended:
Apistan, Checkmite – known Varroa resistance and chemical is stored in wax for long periods of time.
Be sure to take another sample 2 weeks after treatment.
Commit to this!
Remember, take a pic of what you do for Varroa management each month. Submit the photos at the end of the year for our ultimate Varroa Crusher Championship.
As always, we are here to help. We can talk through your sample results, we can discuss options, whatever. Let’s do everything we can to ensure 100% survival in Tillamook County!