I was considering purchasing screened bottom boards for all the hives that include a tray for the placement of mineral oil.. Quite an expensive project not to mention I have to level all the hives. Is it worth the expense and the work?
I ran them in about 10 hives last year. Caught SHB in them. I just have not gotten around to it and have not found some free oil to oil them this year. They also kill ants, roaches, and all kinds of maggots so I guess you can say they work.
How often are you changing the oil? I would imagine that it should be cleaned out at least once a month.
I dumped it in the fall. That stuff cost too much to change. Filter it if you got to.
I used smaller traps in the hive with mineral oil for SHB. The oil evaporated pretty quick during the hot summer days. You may not have to worry about dumping if it gets real hot!
I don't use a great amount of oil. I just cover the bottom of the pan
when the shb hits the oil they die, IMHO trying too get out, more that drowning
Tommyt
I wonder if soapy water would work just as well????? :?
I do mine every 3,000 miles. :-D
Despite never having an issue w/ varroa I monthly use mineral oil 'only on the tops of frames, only on the top brood box' with just a small bead along entire length of frame using a squeeze bottle (learned from an old Canadian beek). I use top entrances on all hives. It absorbs into the wood quickly. In six seasons I've seen less than a hundred mites total in all combined hives. I'm not really certain if the oil helps or not but its cheap and I'm sure not going to stop now, but that's just me. My Langs have SBB.
I also grow hops and with the latest buzz about 'hopguard' who knows what's 'really' keeping varroa from 'bugging' my bees. Sure wish there was something as simple to keep Bears away ;)
thomas
Quote from: T Beek on June 18, 2011, 11:31:24 AM
Despite never having an issue w/ varroa I monthly use mineral oil 'only on the tops of frames, only on the top brood box' with just a small bead along entire length of frame using a squeeze bottle (learned from an old Canadian beek). I use top entrances on all hives. It absorbs into the wood quickly.
thomas
What's the name of the mineral oil that you use. Thanks, Larry
Its just the generic stuff, get it at Wallgreens or most any such place, must be 100% pure.
thomas
Thanks!
Quote from: T Beek on June 18, 2011, 11:31:24 AM
Despite never having an issue w/ varroa I monthly use mineral oil 'only on the tops of frames, only on the top brood box' with just a small bead along entire length of frame using a squeeze bottle (learned from an old Canadian beek). I use top entrances on all hives. It absorbs into the wood quickly. In six seasons I've seen less than a hundred mites total in all combined hives. I'm not really certain if the oil helps or not but its cheap and I'm sure not going to stop now, but that's just me. My Langs have SBB.
I also grow hops and with the latest buzz about 'hopguard' who knows what's 'really' keeping varroa from 'bugging' my bees. Sure wish there was something as simple to keep Bears away ;)
thomas
Ok, help me out because I am confused. How does putting a bead of mineral oil on the top of your brood frames help control mites. Mites live and reproduce in the wax cells and on the bees. If they built nest in the top bars of frames I would understand, but they do not. Did the old timer tell you why he did this?
With top entrances bees will rub themselves unwittingly with the oil every time they enter or exit. When you open your hives where are your bees? On top of the frames I suspect, collecting small amounts of oil if you've put it there.
As also said, I've been growing hops for at least as long as I've had bees, who love the hops once flowering begins. Is it the hops or the oil, or is it some other factor I'm not yet aware of? Your guess is as good as mine, but I don't have any real issues with varroa in any case and those two remain the only 'known' preventative measures I've taken.
thomas
Quote from: T Beek on June 19, 2011, 07:43:33 AM
With top entrances bees will rub themselves unwittingly with the oil every time they enter or exit. When you open your hives where are your bees? On top of the frames I suspect, collecting small amounts of oil if you've put it there.
As also said, I've been growing hops for at least as long as I've had bees, who love the hops once flowering begins. Is it the hops or the oil, or is it some other factor I'm not yet aware of? Your guess is as good as mine, but I don't have any real issues with varroa in any case and those two remain the only 'known' preventative measures I've taken.
thomas
Do you use foundation? If so what size?
I've been 'mostly' foundationless for last three years. I do use some from time to time to straighten and/or encourage bees to do what I want, particularly w/funny comb building.
thomas
T Beek
I'll ask? may answer too?
With using Mineral oil on your frame tops,
does this hamper the glue
(if used) you would use to put and keep frames together
I would guess not or you would have stopped using Mineral oil
Correct? ??? :-D
Tommyt
I've never had a frame pull apart.
thomas