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Apitraz Strips & Varroa Pics

PostPosted:17 Aug 2019, 20:51
by Japey Edge
Hi everyone!

Today I put two Apitraz strips in one of my hives and one strip in my nuc. The other hive which is still making me honey (slowly) isn't getting treated.
I cleaned out my inspection tray and slid it back in.

I noticed only an hour or so later, in a quick count, 12 or more varroa had dropped. Is this stuff really that quick? Or are my bees just so ramped with varroa?

Questions:
1. Have I timed this about right to start treating?
2. Should I start feeding these with invert mixed with thymol?
3. What treatments would you advise next and when?


Anyway, I took some pics and even a video! Here:
https://1drv.ms/v/s!Av81dIXQWFUjpFycYnUzPrwf9akj


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Re: Apitraz Strips & Varroa Pics

PostPosted:18 Aug 2019, 10:29
by AdamD
Treatment timing is fine - I've not used Apitraz myself yet. The disturbance of the hive may have resulted in a bit of activity in the hive hence the varroa dropping.. But a dead varroa is a good varroa in my book!
Invert syrup doesn't usually ferment - is the thymol in there aimed at stopping fermenting or something else?

You shouldn't need to do any more treatment for varroa for a while - if it works and if your bees don't rob out someone else's varroa damaged colony.

I usually treat with Oxalic Acid between Christmas and New Year. The drop can be between almost nothing and several hundred.

Re: Apitraz Strips & Varroa Pics

PostPosted:18 Aug 2019, 14:41
by Japey Edge
Thanks Adam.
Had a chat with Nigel today and I think I'll let the thought of invert go and just feed sugar syrup to my three colonies.
I was going to put thymol in as I read it helps them with nosema? It was just a preventative measure. Is it worth doing?

What other options are there in late December? I don't have the kit or the confidence for vaping them. I could stick my remaining Apitraz strips in?

Re: Apitraz Strips & Varroa Pics

PostPosted:19 Aug 2019, 13:48
by AdamD
You can dribble oxalic acid rather than vape. As you are aware, oxalic acid works at it's best when there is no sealed brood in the comb and is good in winter or when the colony is otherwise broodless - caught swarm for example. I would keep Apitraz for next year. Apart from the oxalic acid treatment, my view is that colonies need to be left alone over winter, and unmolested. You'll have to find something else to do over winter! :lol:

Re: Apitraz Strips & Varroa Pics

PostPosted:20 Aug 2019, 06:07
by Japey Edge
AdamD wrote:
19 Aug 2019, 13:48
You can dribble oxalic acid rather than vape. As you are aware, oxalic acid works at it's best when there is no sealed brood in the comb and is good in winter or when the colony is otherwise broodless - caught swarm for example. I would keep Apitraz for next year. Apart from the oxalic acid treatment, my view is that colonies need to be left alone over winter, and unmolested. You'll have to find something else to do over winter! :lol:
Yeah I need to prepare myself for leaving them alone through winter :roll:
I'm sure I'll find something else to do! Haha! Cheers Adam.