Get the right answers. Bees are getting more expensive every year. So much so that the hobby aspect of beekeeping is way out of the spectrum for most who want to learn because of the costs. In Canada it’s $300- $325 for a 4 frame nuc. If newbie’s are told to treat for mites then make sure the information is gonna stop them from losing an investment.
Great Job David, and you had some Real good questions For Dr Cameron Jack, I've been thinking about sometime using OA in the near future, Good stuff David 👍
Excellent video!!! Great guest...can I put in a plug for the University of Florida Master Beekeeping Program?! Cameron narrates many of the presentations and does a fantastic job.
So unofficialy the amount is 2-4 grams per brood box without supers 5-7 days apart and enough treatments to cover a bees cycle (24 days) good info I'll let the label catch up to what works.
In New Zealand Varrroa strips are draped over alternate brood frames. They are kept there and changed every six weeks. Initially a Varoa insecticide has to be used and after that they work eceptionally well in keeping numbers very low. Special compact cardboard strips are dipped in a mixture of glycerine and oxalic acid for 24 hours which has been heated up to 168 degrees. If heated to highter level it turns into formic acid so is important to keep a constant check on temperature to make sure it gets no higher. Using appropriate mask is essential plus eye prrotection. Thee are plnty of good videos on RU-vid. Have used it for last two years and has been very successful. Other hives in same colony using other measures have mites, however mine has remained completely clear throughout year.
I have a random question, it doesn't have to do with Mike treatment but I was wondering do nurse bees poop inside the hive? Where do they poop when they can't fly? Have they not got enough inside of them yet to poop? Please answer this question, we are dying to know the answer!!!
I’d think a miteicide like Kelthane or other miteicide would obliterate the mites if hives were used for pollination purposes only and not human honey consumption. It’s safe for insects but destroys mites. Kelthane is the best thing we ever had for red 2 spotted spider mites on tomatoes. TAMU Horticulture professors have said the same thing.
David is 2 grams or 4 grams the appropriate dose and is that for 1 deep box and if you have 2 deep stack. What would be the correct dosage. Love your videos. Thanks for the info.
If 1 gram works and doesn’t affect bees say over time mite resistants increases to treatment. What may be the limit to concentration before it affects bee health? 2) Does inbreeding of mites pass on the possibility of resistance to treatment?
So what is the verdict on oxalic acid extended release as proposed by Randy Oliver? This method of introducing oxalic acid seems a great deal safer & easier than oxalic acid vapor.
David, what are your thoughts or experiences with using oa with a vaporizer that spray using a mixture of alcohol or mineral oil? I have a vaporizer that you would put the dry powder in the entrance, but I’m interested in the fogging technique. I recently saw someone using everclear 100ml to I believe it was 25g of oa, and they just spurt 3 bursts into the entrance
I will only give you my opinion, how I see it and I don't have all the answers nor do I have the corner of all bee knowledge. But using OA and combining alcohol and or mineral oil in a fogger is trying to do two separate things. Years ago people tried fogging with mineral oil. Most concluded it wasn't all that effective. But some still claim it works. Fogging OA an using a vaporizer are two different things with two different out comes. Most agree not to use a fogger with OA. Personally, there are so many proven ways to deal with mites, that I've chosen not to experiment with things like this, as I do not know the outcome.
So a female mite goes in a cell and lays an male egg then lays more eggs female the male breeds his sisters what about the female mother. Does she get bred by the son