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Varroa mite

  • 28-05-2016 11:26AM
    #1
    dto001
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 254 ✭✭


    Hi,
    I just got an overwintered Nuc and after putting them in the hive after checking the bottom board have counted between 15 and 20 mites a couple of mornings in a row.
    The mites look to be dead or at least not moving does this mean anything?
    Should I treat?
    I have ordered beevital which says it can be used all year round and during honey flow.
    Should I treat my other hive as well? I have seen no mites on this hive since March.

    Thanks


Comments

  • #2
    bpmurray
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,275 ✭✭✭bpmurray


    What you need to do first is to check the real amount of infection. See this, but use 100ml of bees and, rather than tipping the icing sugar out onto a dry plate, it's much easier to do it over water in a plate. That will give you your count for 300 bees. So, if you have 3 mites, that's 3 per 300 or 1%. If the count's over 2%, I would definitely treat them.

    Repeat the count on the other hive, and only treat if necessary.

    BTW, if you're doing counts, the NIHBS would love to hear your results - read this.


  • #3
    Effects
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,741 ✭✭✭Effects


    I've had good results with maqs strips following a heavy varroa count in a hive. I then follow up with vape treatment in the winter.


  • #4
    Maeve Honey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2 ✭Maeve Honey


    dto001 wrote: »
    Hi,
    I just got an overwintered Nuc and after putting them in the hive after checking the bottom board have counted between 15 and 20 mites a couple of mornings in a row.
    The mites look to be dead or at least not moving does this mean anything?
    Should I treat?
    I have ordered beevital which says it can be used all year round and during honey flow.
    Should I treat my other hive as well? I have seen no mites on this hive since March.

    Thanks

    First step is ask the nuc supplier if they have treated for varroa in the last few weeks. Or did I misunderstand - did you overwinter the nuc yourself?


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