Powdered Sugar Dusting of Beehive for Varroa Mites
A dusting of powdered sugar or wheat flour in
conjunction with a screened bottom board or a sticky board can cause
mites to fall and be captured. This process must be repeated once every
10 days for 3-4 cycles to make any kind of lasting effect.
Place beehive on screened bottom board that is at least 6 inches above ground or stand surface.
Open hive brood box
With flour sifter; sift powdered sugar onto top bars (the honey bees will fan powdered sugar into the hive)
Note:
This process will cause the honeybees to want to groom each other in which the mites as often picked off and fall down through the hive. A
Varroa mite does not jump…only crawls; when the Varroa mites fall off
the host (a.k.a. honeybee) if it does not attach to another honeybee
within 6 hours it is dead.
Close hive lid
Dusting Treatment of beehive for Tracheal Mites
Using vegetable shortening and sugar patties,
to treat colonies infested with tracheal mites, appears to cause a
disruption in the tracheal mites' life cycle. Treatment is most
effective when colonies are known to have lower mite levels. Studies
showed the continuous presence of a shortening patty, helped lower
tracheal mite populations and increased colony survivor ship.
The following are guidelines for the preparation of shortening:
SHORTENING-SUGAR PATTY
- Use shortening that is considered to be a vegetable shortening, such as (the solid white) Crisco.
- Sugar should be white powdered sugar.
- Shortening to sugar ratio is 1:2 (ex. 1 lb. of shortening to 2 lbs. of sugar.)
- Roll patty and place in between two sheets of wax paper; flatten. Make sure this is not the wax paper that has plastic in it the best wax paper is found at costco or cash n' carry and comes in a box.
- Patty placement should be on top bars in the brood nest of the colony, where bees are forced to eat.
- Patty size should be about 1/2 lb. or 1/2 " think
- Additional patties can be given to the colonies if consumed.
Continuous exposure to the shortening can help reduce mite populations.
Wrapping Beehives for Winter
With the success of our hives through the Fall/Winter of 2009/2010/2011/2012 we absolutely recommend every beekeeper wrapping their hive(s). By wrapping the hives you keep the wind and rain off of the girl’s homes and it is simple to do.
Measure the diameter of your hive (langstroth hives are 80") and the height from just above hive entrance to just below hive lid. and cut tar paper using retractable utility knife. Using Staple gun, staple tar paper into place.
Many will say that the Sonoma County area does not need hive wrapping however, wood does absorb moister and the tar paper gives a little extra barrier from the winter rains and cold.
Remember do not go into your brood unless it is 60 degrees or higher!
