Too Late to Sugar Shake?

[DayValleyDahlias]

I am going to do a mite count...IF the numbers are high, is it too late to sugar shake? 

If it is too late to sugar shake, my options are formic acid, ApiLife VAR...that sort of thing??

Please don't tell me to use small cell...I don't have small cell, wasn't given bees with small cells and WISH I had studied FIRST before getting bees!   I would have hunted down someone who sells regressed bees...live and learn!

Thanks folks!

[Cindi]

I must say this.  Even the wild bees get mites.  They have small cells.  Haven't quite wrapped my head around this small cell business.  I know many beekeepers have great luck with small cells, no mites, but so do ones that keep bees on "standard" cells too.  Have this wonderful day, keep it a happy one.  Cindi

[Kathyp]

i don't think it's to late to do the PS thing.  that is a control method.  if your mite count is not high, it may be all that you need.  if you need to use more, i would really recommend that you look at the apiguard.  everyone i know that has  used it, has been happy with the results. 

there is no harm in going to small cell.  i like the idea of the starter strips if only because it saves me money on foundation. if, over time, they build smaller cells that's ok too.  if you are going to regress to small cell with the idea of curing a mite problem, do your research first.  i know some swear by it, but the science is not there (yet). 

[Michael Bush]

>is it too late to sugar shake?

It's never too late to do a sugar shake unless the bees can't fly anymore for the cold.  If the weather is cool then formic acid, ApiLife Var etc. will not work. Unlike sugar, they are very temperature dependant.  They have to vaporize and this only happens in warm weather.  This is also true of menthol (for tracheal mites).

>Even the wild bees get mites.  They have small cells.  Haven't quite wrapped my head around this small cell business.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesnaturalcell.htm#feralbees