Predatory mites for varroa control

Nyleve · October 20, 2016, 11:10:22 AM

I recently met a beekeeper who uses the predatory mite Stratiolaelaps scimitus for varroa control. I would love to find something to avoid using harsh treatments. Anyone have any experience with this?

bwallace23350 · October 20, 2016, 12:05:23 PM

Never seen it in any of my readings but I will be following this thread with interest

Playapixie · October 20, 2016, 01:17:02 PM

Also following. :-)

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BeeMaster2 · October 20, 2016, 01:19:12 PM

There were stories about this not too long ago but nothing came of it. It was discussed right here on Beemaster.
Jim

Nyleve · October 20, 2016, 03:43:16 PM

I have the container that the product came in and went to the website of the company. They no longer seem to have these particular mites listed - I have sent them an email to find out if they still carry them. Will let you know.

For what it's worth, the woman who told me about them says that the company is rather cagey about directions for use. They attach all sorts of cautions about how it's not an approved use, etc., etc. I am still interested in trying them if I can. I don't figure they can do any harm and I am looking for a truly gentle alternative treatment.

GSF · October 20, 2016, 04:19:34 PM

I remember reading something about it. A good question came up. What happens when the predatory mites eat up all the varroa mites? What will they eat then? Larva? Very early on with this, I'd wait it out until I heard more about it. Maybe google reviews on it.

herbhome · October 20, 2016, 04:32:38 PM

The little I know about this indicates they do not stay in the hive for very long. The hive is not the natural home for these little guys so they will need to be reintroduced from time to time. I find the work done with these mites very encouraging.

Hops Brewster · October 21, 2016, 12:10:38 PM

Quote from: Nyleve on October 20, 2016, 03:43:16 PM
I have the container that the product came in and went to the website of the company. They no longer seem to have these particular mites listed - I have sent them an email to find out if they still carry them. Will let you know.

For what it's worth, the woman who told me about them says that the company is rather cagey about directions for use. They attach all sorts of cautions about how it's not an approved use, etc., etc. I am still interested in trying them if I can. I don't figure they can do any harm and I am looking for a truly gentle alternative treatment.

clue 1; no longer listed
clue 2; cagey about directions
clue 3; cautions about no-approved

SIGN ME UP! Just the sort of way I want to do business!

Nyleve · October 22, 2016, 10:17:15 AM

I heard back from the company and they say they still carry the mites. I have asked for information on price etc. and also mentioned that I am interested in them for varroa control. Will see what they say.

I suspect, anyway, that it's too late in the season to use them. It's going to be close to freezing here at night now and I doubt that would be effective, no matter what.

Acebird · October 22, 2016, 10:36:05 AM

It seems like anytime man has introduced a predator to control a pest it backfires.
The most natural way to control a pest is for man not to interfere. Unfortunately that doesn't always agree with mans objectives.
There are a few beekeepers who have had some success with not interfering so much. They may not reach the goals of the business model but they reach the goals of the beekeeper.

rober · October 22, 2016, 11:24:28 AM

I've been researching this for 2 years now. online results are inconclusive. I tried some mites I got from arbico supply & did not see any difference. here's a video. I've not found any follow ups by them.

rwlaw · October 23, 2016, 08:35:41 AM

Plant growers use them with great success. IMO they'll never make it in a hive as the bees won't leave their habitat media in there. Besides, they're a sedentary hunter, which makes them a moot point, as the mites on the bees ready to hop into the developing larvae cells are the problem.

MimbresBees · October 25, 2016, 10:24:53 PM

Here's the link https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bx7DrOGMiXtlM3pjQzdqc1A2SW8/view for the study from Oregon State University

OSU vid

LeifLiberty · October 26, 2016, 02:40:24 PM

Seems like it would be possible to keep these in a modified version of a Warre style quilt box. Basically a place with wood shavings and whatever the predatory mites need plus a way they can move down into the hive to feed on pests.

Bush_84 · October 26, 2016, 03:52:14 PM

I know there is a huge topic about it on beesource. I have not visited that topic in some time to see if anything concrete as far as studies were done. This first came out ~3-5 years ago, but the fact that it has not taken off makes me think it doesn't work. I have only heard of anecdotal evidence that it works. You guys are right that a bee hive is not its normal substrate. When I have heard of people using it they have had to apply it as you would any other mite treatment. As in it works for a short time and requires repeat treatments. Even if you were to get a spot in the hive where these mites could live, I would not imagine that they would move up into the comb to eat. Although if these things knock down the varroa levels somewhat I'd think it would be worth to reapply multiple times.