Anyone use Api-Var for mite control??

[annette]

Someone told me about api-var and was wondering is anyone knows about this stuff and if it is safe for the bees and the hive???? Supposed to be natural.

Thanks
Annette

[Shizzell]

I don't use anything - I have had my hives for almost 5 years now. No problems with any disease at all. Three keys: Ventilation, Keeping hives strong, and good food stores.

Jake

[Kathyp]

i have heard it's not very effective.  was also told that you'd do as well using powdered sugar to knock the mites back and it's cheaper.  it's for keeping them down to a manageable number.  i heard about it from someone in Europe.  didn't even know you could get it here.

are you having a mite problem?

i still am pretty much sold on the apiguard and so is everyone i have talked to that has tried it.  

[annette]

What is apiguard???  Yes I am having mite problems. I am doing powdered sugar treatments, but every week that means smoking the bees, disrupting them while I do the treatments, which sets them back a few days.

Thanks for the help
Annette

[Kathyp]

as far as i know, none of the treatments can be used while you are trying to get honey. most require closing up the hive and it's pretty hot in most places to do that.  most treatments that i looked at are recommended late summer to early fall depending on flow and temp.

define 'problem'.  you will always have some mites.  how may are you finding and are they doing damage?

[annette]

Kathyp

I am losing a hive right now due to not controlling the mites in that hive.(That has been my weak hive)

I have one strong hive also that had a count of 100 mites in a one hour drop. I am doing powdered sugar treatments per MB recommendations. The treatments are working as the counts are going down dramatically, but if there is any other treatments I can do besides this, I would like to know what other people are doing and how to do it.

What is Apiguard?? How do you use this??? Is this safe??

Thanks for the help
Annette

[Kathyp]

http://www.dadant.com/Apiguard-Howtouse_003.htm

this is a pretty good explanation, i hope.

[acepestdetective]

 Hey guys and gals.

I've only just started beekeeping so cannae answer with regards to what is/isn't good to treat mites.

I do however live in Britain (where Varoa in particular is a big problem in many areas) and carry out pest control for a living.

Having spoken to several keepers' they have mentioned one of two things:

1- That many people use one type of treatment for mites, disease etc and have done for many years.

2- That some people are very lazy when it comes to treatment and instead of only leaving sachets in for the specified times, some have left them in hives for far longer!

One very important piece of advice. At my company we use various different insecticides for the treatment of fleas, bedbugs, clothes moth etc etc as well as rodenticides for rats, mice and squirels. We change the type used every year to another one with a different active ingredient to try and prevent resistance over the long term (like rats and mice to Warfarin over here in the UK).

It's my perception that the continued use of ONE type of mite treatment year in year out may well lead to problems of resistance which I'm led to believe has already occured in quite large numbers here with regards to Varoa. Definately worth thinking about people!!!

Haven't looked if there's any scientific proof to back me up so maybe someone can shed some light on this in the not too distant future?

Rob.

[Kathyp]

rob, i think that's true of many things.  there are mites that are resistant to treatments that have been used for year.  some of the newer treatments claim not to cause Resistance, but time will tell.

it's not always true...many people still use different horse wormers in rotation.  it's a PITB.  ivermectin has been used for many years and does not show signs of creating resistant parasites.  i think the best thing we can do is try to stay on top of current research and hope for the best  :-)

[acepestdetective]

 Very true Kathy.

My family have used Ivermectin on the farm for years so I guess that resistance is partially also due to how often/how long the product is used for. Obviously leaving avi strips in a hive is to be regarded as a tad irresponsible in my view.

Interesting to hear some products claim not to cause resistance as with  rats and mice it took many years for the resistance to build up to warfarin which begs the question how long these wonder products have been tested for and indeed what their chemical make up is.

Rob.

[doak]

Grease patties can be used year around for  "Tracheal" mites.
One of my mentors say they are good.
I will be putting them on after honey harvest.
All other things will have to be handled by changing out old comb and strong colonies.
doak