Health

Oxalic Acid Dribble

From BetterBee:
Oxalic Acid Dribble is a method that uses oxalic acid mixed with sugar syrup. It is applied using a large syringe to squirt the mixture onto the bees clustered between the frames.

The bees are not harmed by physical contact with the oxalic acid-laced syrup but, inevitably, they consume a small amount of the oxalic acid containing-syrup which is mildly harmful. For this reason, oxalic acid dribble is best done in a single treatment, not in a repeated series. This is particularly important in winter when individual bees must stay alive for a much longer time. Fortunately, during the brood pause, a single treatment is usually all that’s needed, so an oxalic acid dribble is a satisfactory option at this time of year. The method works best when there are only two boxes on the hive. It can be used when there are more boxes (such as in a hive made up of three or more medium boxes) but that makes for extra work.

Honey Supers: This treatment is most effective in the winter. Do NOT apply to honey supers. Only apply to brood boxes.
Temperature Range: none
Usage
* BetterBee Instructions
* Honey Bee Suite
* Randy Oliver – Oxalic Acid Treatment Table

Hopguard

Hopguard is manufactured by BetaTec. BetaTec research has discovered a natural hop compound that is highly effective in combating Varroa. HopGuard® II and HopGuard 3 are scientifically-proven natural Varroa control systems that provide the beekeeper with a natural, safe, and easy-to-use alternative to traditional harsh chemicals.

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

Honey Supers: The strong smell may taint your honey.
Temperature Range: daytime temps > 50° F
Usage

  • Overview
  • Instructions
  • The 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.

Formic Pro

FORMIC PRO™ causes mortality to both male and female varroa under the brood cap as well as to the varroa on the adult bees. FORMIC PRO™ is to be used as part of an integrated pest management (IPM) program.

FORMIC PRO is an extended shelf life formulation (24-months) and doesn’t require any temperature-controlled storage.

Honey Supers: OK
Temperature Range: between 50° F – 85° F. Will cause bee mortality if over the specified temperature.
Usage
* Treatment Guidelines
* Application Video

Apivar

  • Apivar is generally regarded as a safe, easy-to-use treatment option for Varroa Mites.
  • Do not use when honey supers are present according to the USDA.
  • The best times are early spring before flowers start to bloom and nectar starts to be plentiful, and in the fall after you’ve harvested your honey supers.
  • The Apivar strips need to be inside your hives for at least 42 days… so if you’re treating in the spring, treat in early spring.

Honey Supers: NO
Temperature Range: none
Usage
* Apivar Brochure
* How to Use Apivar Strips

Apiguard

Apiguard is a slow-release gel that ensures the correct dosage of its active ingredient, thymol. Thymol is a naturally occurring substance derived from the plant thyme.

According to the manufacturer:
Apiguard may taint honey in supers, but it is unlikely, especially if the honey stores are sealed. Apiguard may taint the brood wax, and low traces may reach the wax of the supers. Honey collected during Apiguard treatment can be fed back to the bees.

  • Honey Supers: The strong smell may taint your honey.
  • Temperature Range: works best above 60° F
  • Usage

Miticides affecting Honey Bee Queens – Dr. Liz Walsh

We were delighted to hear Dr. Liz Walsh share her insightful and fun presentation on the interesting ways that miticides impact adult honey bee queens. In her postdoc research for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Liz is looking into in-hive pesticides, such as active ingredients in miticides, and how they impact queen health, physiology, and behavior. She is keen to apply her learning to her own beekeeping operation, Queen B Honey, which she started while still in high school.

The video presentation is available for members only. Please contact us for details.

Club Night: How to make a healthy hive

The club agreed to hold more virtual meetings including an ongoing education series on making a healthy hive. The series will cover topics such as basic hive assessment techniques, queen status, nutrition, common summer pests/diseases, tools, and hive configuration and how all of this works in the process of keeping your bees healthy and productive. Members are invited to attend the Zoom meetings. For details please contact us.

Arthur Kubogamell presented the latest in the series with "Assessing the Health of Your Hive":

Bee Informed Partnership (BIP) presentation by Matt Hoepfinger

BIP Field Specialist, Matt Hoepfinger, joined us at our June 2020 club meeting courtesy of Zoom.

Matt inspects thousands of colonies in commercial operations each year so he sees the best and worst of honey bees. In the first half of Matt's presentation, he gave us an overview of the Bee Informed Partnership followed by insights into the life of a BIP Field Specialist.

BIP doesn't just help commercial beekeepers. In the second half of Matt's presentation we hear about BIP's Sentinel Apiary Program which is intended for hobbyists and is a citizen science project. It can be used as an early warning system to alert beekeepers of potential problems due to increases in Varroa or Nosema in your area.

Matt mentioned a mite wash sieve (500 micrometer to catch mites, 4 millimeter to catch bees) - link courtesy Amazon.

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