Should I remove drone comb to reduce varroa mites

Started by seabees, May 20, 2011, 01:13:16 AM

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seabees

I formed 2 nucs from 1 hive so now I have 3 . They are all doing fine. I seem to have queens. Anyhow my question is now that I don't need the drones anymore should I cut out any drone comb to reduce varroa mites? I use 10 frame deeps, top entrance, SBB,homemade powdered sugar every 10 days, leave them lots of honey and pollen,alternate a frame of small cell wax foundation with  a frame of starter strip.  I still have more mites than I think is okay!
Debbie

AllenF

Removing drone brood is a method or killing some mites but it is kinda labor intensive.  I bought 2 of those green drone frames years ago and used them one.  Not for me I guess.   A break in the brood cycle helps a little also when you make splits and let them raise their own queen.   

Michael Bush

If there are a lot of mites in the drone brood, sure... but if not, I'd leave it.
My website:  bushfarms.com/bees.htm en espanol: bushfarms.com/es_bees.htm  auf deutsche: bushfarms.com/de_bees.htm  em portugues:  bushfarms.com/pt_bees.htm
My book:  ThePracticalBeekeeper.com
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"Everything works if you let it."--James "Big Boy" Medlin

jmblakeney

Quote from: Michael Bush on May 23, 2011, 12:15:17 AM
If there are a lot of mites in the drone brood, sure

Michael, how do you know if there mites in the drone brood or not?

James
"I believe the best social program is a job...." - Ronald Reagan

Michael Bush

You take an uncapping fork and pull a bunch out and look.  If they are heavily infested, you pull the rest out.  Or if you don't have an uncapping fork, make do with something else.
My website:  bushfarms.com/bees.htm en espanol: bushfarms.com/es_bees.htm  auf deutsche: bushfarms.com/de_bees.htm  em portugues:  bushfarms.com/pt_bees.htm
My book:  ThePracticalBeekeeper.com
-------------------
"Everything works if you let it."--James "Big Boy" Medlin

seabees

Debbie