Treatment FAQ

how to use hopguard varroa treatment during honey flow

by Orin Bogisich Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Safe to use during honey flow Easy and effective New and improved generation Safe on bees, deadly on Varroa mites Use HopGuard when the daytime temperatures are above 50 degrees F (10 degrees C). Simply add HopGuard® III to hives at the rate of two strips per 10 frames of bees.

Part of a video titled HopGuard - Varroa Mite Control - YouTube
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Take one hop guard strip and separate the two ends. Then place the strip over a center hive frame atMoreTake one hop guard strip and separate the two ends. Then place the strip over a center hive frame at the position shown here pushing it down so the top of the strip is in contact with the frame.

Full Answer

Is hopguard safe to use during Honeyflow?

Studies have shown that HopGuard is safe to use during honeyflow without any risk of disrupting nectar foraging or tainting the honey. Can I use HopGuard in the winter? Yes, if the outside temperature is above 52°F (11°C).

What is the best apiguard for Varroa mites?

The Blythewood Bee Company Apiguard Pack for Varroa Mite Treatment is designed not only to eliminate varroa mites but to take care of chalkbrood and tracheal mites as well. It contains non-toxic and natural gel with an active ingredient of 25% Thymol. This product guarantees a kill rate of up to 95%.

What is the efficacy rate of hopguard?

HopGuard 3 efficacy rate depends on the mite levels, time of the year and how many treatments were applied, the range is 70-85%. HopGuard II efficacy rate depends on the mite levels, time of the year and how many treatments were applied, the range is 55-70%.

How often should I use hopguard?

HopGuard is most effective in early spring and late fall when there is less brood present in the colonies. Depending on mite levels; specially in the fall when levels are high multiple-consecutive treatments (1-2 weeks apart) are recommended. What is HopGuard efficacy rate?

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Can you use HopGuard with honey supers on?

We're legally stuck with only two treatments approved for use when honey supers are on the hive. Both of those treatments — Hopguard and formic acid — require heavy lifting if to be applied after the honey supers are in place, and Hopguard 3 would require multiple treatments.

How long do you leave HopGuard in hive?

Maximum rate = 2 strips per brood chamber per application (i.e., one strip per five frames covered with bees). Leave the strips in the hive for 14 days and no later 30 days. Use up to 4 times per year.

How long do you leave HopGuard 3 on?

HopGuard 3 strips are active up to 15 days. HopGuard II strips are active up to 5-7 days.

Can you use HopGuard with supers?

2:124:28How to Use HopGuard® II to Control Varroa Mites - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf the colony is active hang strips in the brood area hop guard to can be used when honey supers areMoreIf the colony is active hang strips in the brood area hop guard to can be used when honey supers are on the colony. But do not place strips within the supers.

Is HopGuard 3 safe for bees?

A food-grade product, HopGuard 3 is safe for bees, safe for honey and safe for the environment. HopGuard 3 promotes bee health and survivability naturally. HopGuard 3 is acceptable for use in Langstroth, top bar hives, mating nucs, drone mother colonies, nucleus, splits and newly installed packages.

What is HopGuard made of?

HopGuard is made from one of the organic acids found in the hop plant, Humulus lupulus. An organic acid is simply a carbon-containing compound with acidic properties.

What varroa mite treatment can be used with honey supers on?

Of the three products, formic acid (available commercially as Formic Pro) is the summer mainstay because it has two important features: It can be used when honey supers are in place and it kills varroa mites under brood cappings, meaning all of the varroa in the hive are vulnerable to it.

How do I use HopGuard 3?

Easy—AND SAFE—to UseThe daytime temperature should be above 50°F (10°C).Use 2 strips per brood chamber. (i.e. one strip per 5 frames of bees; two strips per 10 frames of bees)Strips should be hung between brood frames.Refer to the package label for full instructions.

Can you use oxalic acid with supers on?

That is, oxalic acid (API-Bioxal™) cannot be used when honey supers are on unless specified on the EPA-approved product label or supplemental product label. Use of oxalic acid that does not adhere to what is specified on the label would be considered a violation and is subject to enforcement under FIFRA.

Can I use formic acid with honey supers on?

Formic Pro is a polysaccharide gel strip treatment containing formic acid. There are two main benefits to using Formic Pro over other treatments: it is the only treatment that penetrates the cappings of brood cells to kill the mites reproducing within, and it can be used with honey supers on the hive.

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.

What month do you treat varroa mites?

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 ...

How do you use Apiguard for bees?

Apiguard is extremely easy to use: Place the opened tray face upwards in the top of brood frames, preferably centred over the colony. After 10 days examine the tray and if it is almost empty, replace with a second tray. If there is product left in the tray after 10 days leave until day 14 and then replace.

How do you use formic pro?

Place 2 strips on top of the bottom brood box for 14 full days. Use the HALF DOSE treatment option to get a KNOCK DOWN of Varroa. Suitable for weaker colonies or fragile queens. Use 1 strip for 10 full days then 1 more strip for 10 full days, with no break in between.

Can I use Apiguard when feeding?

Q: Can I feed my colonies while using Apiguard? A: Yes and No. The recommendation is not to apply Apiguard while feeding simultaneously in case the bees spend all their time taking the feed and not bothering to clean out the Apiguard gel.

How does formic Pro work?

Formic Pro works by penetrating the brood cap to kill mites where they reproduce. The majority of mites (80%) in a hive are found under the brood caps feeding on the developing bees.

Can I purchase HopGuard in the USA?

Yes. It can be purchased from our distributor Mann Lake @ www.mannlakeltd.com and its authorized dealers.

Where can HopGuard be ordered?

You can order it on the Mann Lake website: https://www.mannlakeltd.com/search?q=hopguard

Can I purchase HopGuard®3 outside of the USA?

No. it is only available in the USA.

Can I purchase HopGuard® II outside of the USA?

Yes, it is approved in Canada, please contact your local dealer or MannLake @ www.mannalakeltd.com.

When is HopGuard 3 coming to Canada?

HopGuard 3 is not registered in Canada, the application is under PMRA review.

How would I become a Canadian distributor?

HopGuard II is sold by MannLake and MannLake can sell to delares in Canada. HopGuard II is registered in Canada. If you would like to be a distribu...

Are there product delays with COVID-19?

We are working diligently with MannLake to have product available as soon as possible. Supply chain and production have been affected by COVID-19 a...

How many insert strips per colony?

Strips are applied at a rate of two insert strips per ten frames of bees (the same rate can be used in eight-frame colonies) or one strip per five...

Where in the hive do I place the strip inserts?

HopGuard strip inserts are placed in the brood chamber in the center frames. The strips are hung over the frames. It is recommended that the strips...

Can I lay the insert strips flat on the top bars?

No. The strips have to be inserted over the frames in the brood chamber for maximum efficacy.

What is the efficacy of Hopguard 3?

HopGuard 3 efficacy rate depends on the mite levels, time of the year and how many treatments were applied, the range is 70-85% . HopGuard II efficacy rate depends on the mite levels, time of the year and how many treatments were applied, the range is 55-70%.

When to apply hop guard?

HopGuard can be applied any time during the year but its efficacy increases when there is less brood present in the colonies. An early spring treatment or fall treatment after the honey harvest showed to be very efficacious.

What is Hopguard 3?

HopGuard ® 3 is a liquid miticide with higher efficacy than HopGuard ® II and used to control varroa mites in honeybee colonies. It is derived from hop compounds and delivered in ready-to-use wet insert strips.

What is the difference between Hopguard II and Hopguard 3?

HopGuard II and HopGuard 3 are made of the same beta acids, the difference is that HopGuard 3 strips remain wet longer in the hive and that increases its efficacy.

How many insert strips are in a hopguard?

A HopGuard package contains either 10 or 24 insert strips ready-to-use. The strips are made of corrugated cardboard and are impregnated with HopGuard liquid. Use the strips as they come out from the bag, do not remove the liquid.

How many times can you use Hopguard 3?

HopGuard ® 3 is registered in the USA, to be applied up to four times during the year. HopGuard ® II is registered in the USA, to be applied up to three times during the year. Depending on mite levels, it can be applied in consecutive treatments (1-2 weeks apart) for maximum efficacy.

Where are hop guard strips placed?

HopGuard strip inserts are placed in the brood chamber in the center frames. The strips are hung over the frames. It is recommended that the strips be spaced between 1 or 2 frames. Before inserting the strips, smoke the top bars to alert the queen to move away as you insert the strips to avoid rolling her down.

How to get rid of mites in broodnest?

You have another option. Do a powdered sugar treatment. This will take care of the mites that are present in the broodnest, but not what is in the cells. This should be repeated every 7-10 days for at least 3 treatments. You can leave your supers on, but it would be better to take them off for 24 hours while the bees clean up the sugar. Be sure to clean it (sugar) up as it will attract ants. Also if your not using SBB now would be a good time to start.#N#peggjam

Can OA penetrate wax?

This gives a better result in the brood department because less room gives a higher acid concentration. After an hour I would remove the plastic but I wouldn’t extract the next 10 days. No problem with capped honeycombs, OA doesn’t penetrate wax.

Can you use FGMO with thymol?

Tough call. You can use FGMO with thymol durring a honey flow....check out the forum on this website.

Can a weak hive survive trickling?

In some areas there is a long winter and with two or more trickling treatments the colonies need a long time to recover from the acid, a weak hive will not survive. The recipe for trickling; 35grams OA mixed with 1liter (1000grams) warm water than trickle with a syringe 35ml of the acid in a colony.

When to apply Hopguard 3?

Any Time of Year. HopGuard 3 is a contact application and can be applied anytime during the year, but its efficacy increases when there is less brood present in the colonies. The application reduces mite levels and gives colonies a boost to grow.

What is Hopguard 3?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has registered HopGuard ® 3, a new biochemical miticide, Potassium Salts of Hops Beta Acids (K-HBAs), which is intended to provide another option for beekeepers to combat the devastating effects of the Varroa mite on honey bee colonies and to avoid the development of resistance toward other products.

How many strips are in a Hopguard 3 kit?

Each HopGuard 3 kit contains either 10 or 24 insert strips, ready for use.

How to get rid of varroa mites?

Of course, many processes require hard work but, we simply love to have a little shortcut. The Mite Away Quick Strips is a surefire way to get rid of varroa mites in a fraction of the time. The key to its effectivity is the formic acid contained in the plant-based gel. It is proven to kill up to 95% of varroa mites.

What is the best way to treat varroa mites?

Of all the methods, the chemical approach is the most common practice to treat varroa mites. Chemical measures come in two forms: synthetic and naturally occurring chemicals. Synthetic chemicals include pyrethroid insecticide as strips, organophosphate insecticide also as strips, and Manley’s Thymol Crystal as food. On the other hand, naturally occurring chemicals include formic acid as pads or vapor, powdered sugar to be sprinkled on bees, essential oils like mint, lemon, and thyme, sugar esters, oxalic acid as vapor, mineral oil also as vapor or direct application, and natural hops in strip applications. These chemicals are proven varroa mite treatments, however, proper application is required to avoid the development of mite resistance.

How does oxalic acid fog?

Fogging with oxalic acid is a very fast and effective method of oxalic acid application. It releases a puff of hot oxalic acid vapor into the hive. The vapor cools on the surfaces of the treated beehive. Mites then come into contact with the acid as they move around the hive. Beekeepers use an oxalic acid fogger, such as the Varomorus Propane Insect Fogger in this application method.

What is vaporization of oxalic acid?

Vaporization is one of the easy and inexpensive methods of oxalic acid application. It puts to use equipment called a vaporizer. The vaporizer has an acid pan on one end that is heated. Various heating methods are used by different manufacturers of oxalic acid vaporizers. Heating elements and glow plugs are the most popular heating technologies used. The acid pan in a vaporizer can get very hot. Beekeepers using a vaporizer to apply oxalic acid in a beehive should take care not to touch hot acid pans.

How long can you leave Mann Lake DC301 in a hive?

Recommended application is two strips of the Mann Lake DC301 per 10 hive frames. The strips are best left in the hive for about a minimum of two weeks or 14 days. For best results, it is advised to use the strips at temperatures over 50º Fahrenheit (10º Celsius). Aside from the benefits that you can get from the package, you’ll be taking home a varroa mite treatment with a brand known for producing quality products.

What is the best mite treatment for bees?

If you’re looking for an effective and proven mite treatment, you need to look for the best names on the market. One of them is the Mann Lake DC- 799 Apivar. This pack of 10 plastic strips is capable of killing up to 99% of mites in just one easy application.

Where are varroa mites made?

It is considered as one of the best oxalic acid vaporizers that you can find on the market. It is manufactured in Switzerland and now available online or at the nearest beekeeping equipment stores. The vaporizer is great for beekeepers with over 10 hives or to someone who simply wants the best treatment for varroa mites.

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