Thank you for the info Patsy/ Chris
I am going to mite check tomorrow, I have fog and drizzle here today. Hopefully the mite load is low but good to know how to use the Formic Pro.
Sheila Garber
Sheila: Your best option is to use formic pro since the honey flow from blackberries is about to start. Formic Pro can be used when honey is being collected for consumption. With a long hive I would use one pad for 10 days then replace with another pad for an additional 10 days. Leave the white board in but pull back slightly to aid ventilation. If the mite count is high I don't think you have any other options.
Chris and Patsy
Thank you Brad
I am going to read that article again and most likely use the Formic Pro if needed.
Sheila
See the HBHC Guide posted on the front page of this website. This is the best source to answering your question.
Depending on the mite drop you get after an alcohol wash.
If the count is higher than 3% (more than 9 mites per 300 bees), then I would suggest Formic Pro. (used during population growth) Cannot be used when honey supers are on. If you use Formic Pro, you will simply place the pads directly on top of the frames.
If the count is lower than 3%, Apivar or Apiguard would be fine. Cannot be used when honey supers are on.
OA Vaporization is probably best suited for the fall and early winter. When you OA with your horizontal hive, the trick will be to block all the ventilation for 5 or 10 minutes, White boards will be your only option for the screened bottow board), But all the other vents need to be covered with a wet towel or tape. This will allow the OA vapors to permeate the entire colony. OA should be done every 5 days for 3 treatments. This will allow the OA to work on all the bees outside of the capped brood. (The brood cycle being about 15 days).
Hi,
I have a horizontal lang hive. The colony is new this spring and after a slow start is thriving.
I have not checked for mites or treated the hive yet (since it was a small colony and I did not want to kill any of the bees)
I saw a few mites on the white board yesterday and will do a mite check today or tomorrow. I am not certain how to treat this hive for mites once I have confirmed it is needed. I have used OAV and Formic Pro in my vertical hive but after reading up on using it, (I have Formic Pro) in a horizontal hive it I am concerned the ventilation in my LL hive may cause harm to the bees.
The hive has a screened bottom inside with an end access, a single entrance and is vented on each end in the roof peaks above the boards. See pictures
Any suggestions would be welcome.
Thank you,