Does dusting colonies with powdered sugar control Varroa infection?
Part 1 The dusting of colonies with powdered sugar as a means of varroa control has become quite popular with hobbyists. Unfortunately, there is precious little published data in support of its actual efficacy in the field.
How to get rid of varroa mites in bees?
In brief, Dr. Kamran Fakhimzadeh had followed up on reports of using various dusts to cause phoretic (hitchhiking) varroa mites to drop off the bees. He found that powdered sugar was just the right size for sticking to the mites’ footpads, plus had the added advantage of not adding any unwanted contamination to the hive.
Does powdered sugar kill mites?
These mites are oblivious to blizzards of powdered sugar. That means that powdered sugar must be applied regularly to the hive in order to remove mites as they hatch along with brood. In his experiments, Randy Oliver found that the more treatments you applied, the more mites you “killed” (dropped out of the hive).
Can drone trapping and sugar dusting kill off Varroa?
I do not have firm supportive data, but the combination of drone trapping simultaneously with sugar dusting theoretically should really knock back varroa reproduction. Photo by Sr. Juanse Barros (no, Edgardo is not showing off—he just plugged a hole in his coveralls with an entrance-closure sponge).
What does powdered sugar do to varroa mites?
Dusting of powdered sugar is done in combination with the sticky board or a screen bottom board. Powdered sugar does not kill the varroa mites, but causes the mites to drop to the bottom. If there is not a sticky board placed on the bottom, the mites will crawl back up to reinfest.
What is an acceptable varroa mite count?
A 2% mite count is (generally) considered an acceptable number of Varroa, to have in a hive and no action is required by the beekeeper. At no time does any mite count method ever take into consideration the mites under the capping or in the cells which is where the greatest numbers of Varroa are found by far.
How often treat bees with powdered sugar?
Pour one cup of powdered sugar onto the top of the frames in one deep hive body for a minimum of 3 consecutive weeks on the same day each week. A six week treatment is even more effective.
How do you count varroa mites on sticky board?
When you want to take a mite count, slide the sticky board underneath the screened bottom board. Leave it for three days, then pull it back out and get counting. Divide your total by three to get an average daily mite drop number.
What is a high varroa mite count?
It would also seem that Varroa are transmitting more virulent strains of viruses with each passing year. Because of this, I recommend to keep mite levels below 1 mite/ 100 bees in the spring and below 3 mites/100 bees in the fall. With Varroa loads any higher, beekeepers risk high colony losses.
How do you test for varroa mites in powdered sugar?
2:124:31Testing for Mites Using Powdered Sugar - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo from here we need two tablespoons of powdered sugar. And we're going to dump this in on top ofMoreSo from here we need two tablespoons of powdered sugar. And we're going to dump this in on top of the bees. Try not to let all of it blow away in the wind.
Will bees eat powdered sugar?
Confectioners sugar, or powdered sugar, cannot be fed to bees. Though it is safe to use as a mite dusting powder, it contains 3% cornstarch which is why it should not be fed.
Can you harvest honey after mite treatment?
1:2711:43Beekeeping: Dead Hive, Mite Treatment & Winter Honey HarvestYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut if these two hives over here are in good condition. I will harvest the honey from here I do thatMoreBut if these two hives over here are in good condition. I will harvest the honey from here I do that for two reasons. One is to reduce the amount of space that they have to keep warm and secondly.
Does powdered sugar hurt bees?
Those who use powdered sugar dropped through a food strainer use considerably more. As I said, the sugar is harmless to the bees, and even the small amount of corn starch found in commercial powdered sugar has no ill effects. Powdered sugar also has no harmful effect on mites.
How do you use a sticky board mite count?
2:334:05Varroa mite monitoring: Sticky board - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLeave it untouched for three full days come back after three days peel off the back grab. The trayMoreLeave it untouched for three full days come back after three days peel off the back grab. The tray slide it out and count the varroa mites that have fallen and stuck to the.
What is a Varroa board?
The Varroa (or inspection) board sits under the mesh floor of the hive, allowing debris to fall down and gather under where the bees are active, so you can pull it out and check what's going on.
How do you use a beehive sticky board?
1:047:19Varroa Sticky Boards - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then on top of that. We put our screen bottom board. And we put that in a way that the entranceMoreAnd then on top of that. We put our screen bottom board. And we put that in a way that the entrance is facing this direction. So that's still the entrance now and then in we insert a piece of masonite
Where are the mites in a bee hive?
By far the most mites, especially during spring and summer, are inside the cells of capped brood. These mites are oblivious to blizzards of powdered sugar. That means that powdered sugar must be applied regularly to the hive in order to remove mites as they hatch along with brood.
Is powdered sugar dusting effective?
My own opinion is that powdered sugar dusting is effective only when used in combination with other Varroa management protocols such as drone trapping, queen removal, splitting, and the use of organic acids.
Does powdered sugar clump?
Powdered sugar is amazingly hygroscopic, meaning it has an attraction for water. If you keep bees in a humid climate , or if your hives are full of moisture, the sugar will clump on the bees instead of dusting them, a situation that reduces the efficacy of the treatment .
Does sugar help mites?
Some folks think the sugar makes it harder for the mites to hold onto the bee, others say it makes no difference. Most think it is just the act of grooming that dislodges the mites. Consequently, most mite drop after a powdered sugar application occurs within the first few hours and decreases quickly after that.
Is powdered sugar safe for bees?
Good riddance. Any inert powder applied to the bees will have a similar effect, but powdered sugar is a good choice because it is readily available, inexpensive, and harmless to the bees. Most sources I consulted recommend one cup of powdered sugar per brood box. However, those who use bellows-type applicators use less.
What happens when you put powdered sugar on bees?
The second thing that happens when powdered sugar is applied, is that the bees immediately start grooming themselves and each other in an effort to remove the sugar from their bodies, thus knocking off mites at the same time. Regardless of exactly why, minutes after the treatment is applied powdered sugar and mites will rain from the bottom ...
How to get rid of varroa mites?
First, we use powdered sugar dusting to rapidly dislodge large numbers of phoretic mites from the bees and remove them from the hive via the screened floor.
How to treat varroa hive with sugar?
Once your varroa treatment screen is in place, pour, as evenly as possible, the first 1/2 cup of sugar onto the screen. Next, use the paintbrush to work the sugar through the screen, between the top bars and down into the hive. Again, try to get the sugar as evenly distributed as possible. Once you've worked in the first 1/2 cup ...
How long does thyme oil stay in a hive?
The thyme oil vapors will remain in the hive for several days before they completely evaporate, which means that even mites that were in capped cells at the time of application may be killed when they emerge days later. In order to get started, you'll first need to make some powdered sugar.
How to make a squirt bottle of mineral oil?
Open the bottle of mineral oil and add 18-20 drops of thyme oil to it. Close the bottle back up and shake it vigorously to mix the oils together. Pour a small amount of the mixture into the squirt bottle and then store the rest away for future use.
How long does it take to pulverize sugar?
It only takes about 30 seconds to pulverize each 1/2 cup of sugar. Take a good look at it each time you make a 1/2 cup, to make sure that it looks as powdered sugar should and, if necessary, shake it up and blend it a bit longer until the desired result is achieved. Besides the powdered sugar, you'll need a varroa treatment screen.
How to smoke bees before opening hive?
As always, smoke the bees lightly through the entrance and/or the screened floor before opening the hive. After a moment, remove the roof, the quilt and the window screening. Use your smoker to convince the bees that are starting to pour out of the top to go back down into the hive.
1. Delay treatment
Sometimes this is the best method, especially if mite loads are small.
2. Screened bottom board
A screened bottom board allows mites to fall off of bees and through a screen in the bottom board and out of the hive or onto a sticky board. This method is not very effective. It eliminates 10-20% of mites (leaving 80-90% of mites on bees). Having a screened bottom board can also chill brood in cool weather.
3. Drone brood removal
Drone brood removal is labor-intensive, but effective. To use this method, you will need a frame of drone comb for each hive. These are commercially available. We’ve used the solid plastic drone combs from Pierco.
4. Powdered sugar
The idea with powdered sugar is to knock the mites off of adult bees in the hive. Sprinkle powdered sugar over bees and allow mites to fall off. This has limited effectiveness as half of mites are inside of the cells and powdered sugar will not affect them. Mites can also crawl back onto bees unless there is a screened bottom board.
How to get rid of bees in a jar?
Firmly shake the jar over a white plate or into a clean white tub. On breezy days, you’ll need to do this over a small tub as even the slightest breeze wisps the sugar away taking any mites with it. Before releasing the bees, mist the plate of sugar to melt the sugar to make the mites more visible.
How to make a honey bee hive?
To get started, here’s what you’ll need: Add about two tablespoons of powdered sugar to the jar. Then, select one to two brood frames covered in nurse bees. Alternative ly, select frames of pollen and nectar that are located close to the brood. These frames will still be covered in nurse bees as they work to feed the brood.
How to dislodge nurse bees?
Firmly tap the edge of the frame into the tub to dislodge nurse bees. Or, gently rub the measuring cup downward on the frame to drop bees into the cup. The advantage to tapping the frame is that the queen is easier to spot in the tub in the event you overlooked her the first time. One word of caution with the sugar roll.
What is a sugar roll?
The sugar roll is the perfect alternative to other methods and gives the girls a sweet treat during their checkup. Categories : Health & Pests Tags : beehive pests varroa mite testing varroa mites.
Can you wash varroa mites before testing?
Takes a little longer than an alcohol wash, but it’s much easier on the bees and the beekeeper’s heart strings. Once you have your mite counts — or preferably before you conduct the tests — study up or refresh your memory on how to treat varroa mites to ensure you give your colonies the best chance at survival.
Do variola mites kill bees?
In a nutshell, the tiny Varroa destructor mite kills bees. Not just a bee here and there, but entire colonies in a short period of time. Varroa mites transmit viruses, weaken both the individual bee’s and the entire colony’s immune system, making the colony more susceptible to otherwise latent viruses and disease.
Can bees be sacrificed to check for mites?
Most beekeepers aren’t too keen on the idea of sacrificing their honey bees to check for varroa mites. Too often, this idea alone is the main excuse given for not conducting mite checks. However, knowing what a hive’s mite load is can mean the difference between a colony surviving the winter and an almost guaranteed untimely death from ...
How long does it take for mites to drop after dusting?
Mites will begin to drop seconds after dusting—I’ve seen 200 drop in the first 30 seconds from a 5-frame colony! If your colonies contain brood (in which mites will not be affected), then it is likely that the most effective way to use sugar dusting would likely be in combination with drone trapping —a one-two punch.
What does it mean when a weekly mite count is 2.0?
Going up to 2.0 would mean that the mite drop doubled from the initial level. Going down to 0.5 would mean that the natural mite drop was half of the beginning level.
How to tell if you have applied enough sugar?
To determine whether you have applied enough sugar when top dusting, you should see lines of powdered sugar below the frames on your dry board (shown). Dusting does not hurt the mites, but they get covered in the sugar dust and cannot crawl around.
Does sugar dusting kill mites?
Sugar dusting can be quite effective for reducing the mite population in broodless (or nearly broodless) bees, such as during summer dearths or in winter (if the bees are not tightly clustered). It also works quite well to drop mites from package bees, shook bees, or swarms.
What is the new product for bees?
The cat is finally out of the bag— a Florida company named Beeologics has quietly developed a new product named RemebeeTM— a “viral silencing agent delivered through normal feeding during regular beekeeping practices.” Remebee activates the recently-discovered RNA interference (RNAi) antiviral immune response of honey bees against Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus (IAPV) and Kashmir Bee Virus (KBV). Their chief scientist is Dr. Ilan Sela, who discovered and named IAPV. The company is hoping to receive quick FDA approval for major field trials this fall/winter, and has already made arrangements with several large beekeeping operations. I will be writing more about RNAi in an upcoming article.
When did Pajuelo start having problems?
Pajuelo first noticed problems in 2000, after a very dry fall. Pollen was short, and bees foraged for grass and other unusual pollens, and collected dust from livestock feed troughs. Spain then suffered from the driest 12 months on record from October 1, 2004 to September 30, 2005.
Does powdered sugar help mites?
His research demonstrated that dusting with powdered sugar could effectively increase mite drop from a colony. This research was confirmed by Dr. Marion Ellis and Nick Aliano. Jerry Hayes recommended its use in the hot Florida climate.
What is fogging oxalic acid?
Fogging combines ethyl alcohol and oxalic acid. Fogging treatment delivers a strong dosage of the oxalic acid in a single application, and is best for beekeepers with multiple hives. For apiaries of 20 – 45 hives: Add 25 grams of the OA powder to 100ml of ethyl alcohol. Stir the mixture until the oxalic acid dissolves into the ethyl alcohol.
How much OA is needed for a bee hive?
Beekeepers will need a vaporization tool, such as this one, that uses either an AC or DC battery source. A single hive generally requires 1 gram of fully vaporized OA.
How to apply oxalic acid to honey?
Oxalic Acid can be applied in three ways: vaporization, fogging, or trickling. Trickling preserves honey, however, the volume of OA absorbed by the bees can be harmful to the colony. Therefore, we recommend either vaporization or fogging.
Can bees use powdered sugar?
Natural beekeepers have long used powdered sugar to control mite populations. It is theorized that the bees will groom themselves of the powdered sugar, and in this process, the mites will fall off, dropping to the sticky board and or out of the hive, if using only a screened bottom board.