now OT-bees, was: scaly leg mite

Mary Fisher <mary.fisher@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> "nuele mersch" <fowls@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:1h22tvz.t9tpgp1fakmjeN%fowls@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> > trouble with pyrethrine and mites is that they may eventually get
> > resistant. We used to use it against varroa mites on bees for a number
> > of years, but it doesn't work at all anymore. Pity, it was very
> > convenient. Soaking the bees in sunflower oil will not have the desired
> > effect, I fear ;-)
>
> Some do advocate a fine mist of oil.
>
> Have you tried dusting over the frames with talc? The theory is that the
> mites can't grip the bees' bodies when they're coated with talc. Of course
> you need a screen below the frames so that the mites can't get back into the
> hive.
>
> Mary


Hi Mary,

I never heard about any of those methods! It reminds me of something
I've once heard during a varroa seminar, to dust a swarm with caster
sugar (through the mesh of the box you keep them in at first). The dust
seems to make breathing difficult for the mites so they let go of the
bees.

I've never tried that, though. I've used formic acid for years now with
very good success, and why fix what is unbroken. Regular, sometimes
weekly controls of fallen mites and early action if numbers are getting
too high for the season has worked very well for me. If that means I
can't get a second harvest of honey, I divide the hives after treatment
and sell the surplus of beehives the next spring - almost the same
amount of money but much less work!

cheers

Nuele (D)
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Comments on SB2586 Apiary Act of 2008
    ... that the way bees behave in the reality in which most of us others live. ... smell the honey and the queen's smell. ... Most of the hives in the area could become ... only the mites and taint the honey but save the bees. ...
    (soc.culture.hawaii)
  • Re: Its in Hilo!
    ... they have so far no more mites found other than those ... on it, each one representing a tested hive or hives, all without ... to check for dead bees is a good one, and I can do that earlier ... shouldn't be getting the scent on yourself. ...
    (soc.culture.hawaii)
  • Re: (Varroa Mite)Hows da bees?
    ... affects the mites but not the bees. ... forces them to groom each other and thence remove the ... only works on domesticated hives because the hive must ...
    (soc.culture.hawaii)
  • Re: Its in Hilo!
    ... season i would have the first failures from mites. ... Part of that is the hygenic nature of the bees on the ... But beekeepers feel that it is possible ... to exterminate because this is really a small island. ...
    (soc.culture.hawaii)
  • Re: Its in Hilo!
    ... there are no bees, then we really need to worry. ... they have so far no more mites found other than those ... on it, each one representing a tested hive or hives, all without ...
    (soc.culture.hawaii)