Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Patrick on November 29, 2007, 09:34:24 PM

Title: Mites winter apiguard question
Post by: Patrick on November 29, 2007, 09:34:24 PM
Has any of the warmer climate folks ever used Apiguard for mites this time of year? It says it can be used with a maximum daily temp of 60F.  I was wondering what if any effect or disadvantage treating this time of year would have. My bees are still flying and bringing in a little, but vary little.

Cheers,
Patrick
Title: Re: Mites winter apiguard question
Post by: pdmattox on November 29, 2007, 10:51:11 PM
You can use it if you are going to have 4 weeks with temps in the range specified on the lable. Apriguard's effectiveness is dependent on having the air temps in the correct range. I see no reason not to treat right now if you have mites and the tempatures are good.  I like to feed them some syrup while treating.
Title: Re: Mites winter apiguard question
Post by: Michael Bush on November 30, 2007, 03:03:02 PM
The problem is that the thymol crystals have to evaporate and that won't happen if it's too cool.
Title: Re: Mites winter apiguard question
Post by: BeeHopper on November 30, 2007, 06:04:42 PM
Quote from: Patrick on November 29, 2007, 09:34:24 PM
Has any of the warmer climate folks ever used Apiguard for mites this time of year? It says it can be used with a maximum daily temp of 60F.  I was wondering what if any effect or disadvantage treating this time of year would have. My bees are still flying and bringing in a little, but vary little.

Cheers,
Patrick

Minimum outside temp 60 F   Maximum 95-100 F 
I have used it 2 years with excellent results. I pull my supers in September and apply Apiguard soon after, 3 applications with 14 day intervals totaling 43 days of 60 F daytime temps to be effective, where I live in NJ, it is not a problem. I have yet to use Apiguard in the spring, probably because of the Screened bottom board and sugar dusting. I have 4.9 small cell foundation installed in some of my hives, but I do not know if it is being drawn that way  :-D