How late can I treat for varroa mites?
Late Season Varroa Mite Treatment OptionsProductActive IngredientLength of TreatmentApi-Bioxal™ (dribble or vaporization)Oxalic acidSingle doseApiguard™Thymol28 daysApivar™Amitraz42 - 56 daysFormic Pro™Formic acid14 or 20 days
Can you treat for mites in November?
November and December are good OAV treatment months because even if some brood is present, it will be a small amount, meaning not many varroa mites will be present under the caps.
Can you leave Apivar strips in all winter?
Strips are hung between brood frames for 6-10 weeks and – for maximum efficacy – should be scratched with a hive tool and repositioned half way through the treatment period. Unlike some other miticides (e.g. Apiguard and MAQS) there are no temperature restrictions for Apivar usage.
When should I start varroa mite treatment?
As an example, if beekeepers want to control Varroa mites in their colonies by 31 August when the first Winter bees are emerging as adults in the prairie provinces, then miticide treatments should be applied before 17 August; that is the date when worker larvae are being sealed into their cells that will emerge as ...
Can you use oxalic acid in winter?
Oxalic acid works best on broodless colonies: This is why oxalic acid had always been the preferred treatment for the winter season (between November and January), if you notice a mite infestation going up the recommended thresholds.
Do varroa mites survive the winter?
Varroa mites are now so common that they can be found in nearly every hive in the United States. Heavily infested bee hives can look very healthy and produce good honey crops, only to dwindle and die during fall or winter.
What happens if you leave Apivar in too long?
Like any of the miticide strips, the more Apivar is used, the more likely resistance will be developed. Leaving the strips in over winter could result in mites in your hives that are immune to the strip's effects.
What happens if you leave Apivar strips in too long?
If you leave the strips in too long every time you treat, over and over again, the low level exposure might result in mites that are resistant to that miticide.
Can I use Apivar and oxalic acid together?
Preventing Mite Resistance to Apivar Use a rotation of other treatments such as apiguard (thymol based), oxalic acid or formic acid.
What happens if you leave honey supers on during Apivar treatment?
What is your source? APIVAR will leave residue in honey if the supers are applied during, or too soon after treatment.
What is the best varroa mite treatment?
The most popular essential oil for varroa mite control is thymol (from a thyme plant). While thymol treatment can effectively control mites on adult bees, it cannot penetrate the cell cappings, so does not control mites in brood cells. Efficacy of thymol is dependent on colony strength as well as ambient conditions.
How do you keep bees through the winter?
The key to keeping bees alive in the winter is proactive management before the winter.Start with bees that are adapted to the area. ... Monitor for varroa mites and treat if necessary. ... Be sure colonies have enough honey. ... Provide a way for excess moisture to escape the colony. ... Feed fondant if necessary.