I read about api-life, guard, hopguard and a few others and then I see OA fumigation. Why do you think there hasn't been a dominate choice? I would think if they all work about the same, wouldn't the cheaper prevail? Or is there a dominant choice? I guess Im no different than many others, thinking they wouldn't have to worry about mites there first year, but here I am, and I am leaning towards AO, just because it seems cheaper. Any thoughts?
first off using the same treatment year after year will cause resistance. Second they all have drawbacks. OA is not legal in the states. Formic acid is hard on queens/bee's and is very temp sensitive. Hopguard just stinks. Thymol requires extra trips for second application. Some are just to expensive
i like apiguard (thymol). it has it's drawbacks. it's temp dependent and the treatment takes a brood cycle, but i have never noticed any adverse effects in the hive and it does the trick on the mites.
i don't treat every year, so i have not had a resistance issue.
Maybe something we may like to from read form Michael Bush
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesvarroatreatments.htm (http://www.bushfarms.com/beesvarroatreatments.htm)
BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)
Even showing that chart, Michael has not treated his hives since I think it 2008 or before.
Jim
Last time I treated any of them was 2003. Last time I treated some of them was 2001. But if you want to treat, keep in mind the effectiveness with and without brood...
It is interesting to hear that some do not treat. I was under the impression that since the mite invasion, everyone had to. The chart is also interesting. I guess I should have done some treatments during the split/rearing. The queens are laying now, learning as I go :-)
Kirk Webster.....
Is one of the largest treatment-free bee keepers I know in New England you may enjoy some of these articles.
http://www.kirkwebster.com/index.php/collapse-and-recovery-the-gateway-to-treatment-free-beekeeping (http://www.kirkwebster.com/index.php/collapse-and-recovery-the-gateway-to-treatment-free-beekeeping)
Kirk.....
Does Not Have Email. If You Want To Communicate With Him, You Will Have To Call Or Send Snail Mail!
BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)