Varroa and Package Bees

[DCHoneybees]

Should I assume that the packages I receive will have some varroa infestation?  If yes, would a powdered sugar treatment (or other treatment) right off the bat slow down their impact on the new colony?

[AllenF]

It can not hurt.    The good thing with packages is that there is a break in the brood cycle for a very short time before they get brood started going.   

[DCHoneybees]

What about sugaring while they are still in the package?

[Kathyp]

they are already pretty stressed.  probably not a good idea to add more.  save that stuff for later.

[AllenF]

You spray them or brush the package with sugar water before you dump them.  May do the same as they groom clean.

[DCHoneybees]

Good, a modest spray was my plan so hope that helps. 

[Jim134]

Should I assume that the packages I receive will have some varroa infestation?  If yes, would a powdered sugar treatment (or other treatment) right off the bat slow down their impact on the new colony?

Just about all packages bees are medicated for mites bee for they leave the package produer



    BEE HAPPY Jim 134  :)

[DCHoneybees]

If that is the case, is it possible, then, that my apiary will be mite-free?  And if there is little chance of interaction with infested bees (given my urban location) that the colonies will remain mite-free?

[Bee-Bop]

" will remain Mite Free "

I wish you the very best.
You just have to stop the visiting Drones and their mite load !

Bee-Bop

[Robo]

If that is the case, is it possible, then, that my apiary will be mite-free?  And if there is little chance of interaction with infested bees (given my urban location) that the colonies will remain mite-free?

Very doubtful.   

With package bees, mites don't usually become a problem until the 2nd year.  But keep an eye on them anyway.

[backyard warrior]

Lets hope over the years coming that we can get a hold of these mite infestations with hygenic stocks as we all know we have lots of smart people working on these issues at hand lets hope for the best  :)

[BjornBee]

Should I assume that the packages I receive will have some varroa infestation?  If yes, would a powdered sugar treatment (or other treatment) right off the bat slow down their impact on the new colony?

Just about all packages bees are medicated for mites bee for they leave the package produer



    BEE HAPPY Jim 134  :)

Yes, that may be true.

And about up to 5 years ago, you could see 95% of all packages getting through winter with no further intervention from the beekeeper. It was always kinda funny how new beekeepers would claim great genetics after their bees got through the first winter, then they lost them the second year. They would scratch their heads, and after they stated they did the same thing as they did the first year, they found out that this normal. First year success. Second year failure.

BUT.......

The past 3-4 years, in some parts, your lucky not to lose 50% of package bees the first year. I attribute it to weak imported genetics, and a compounding of other issues. But make no doubt about it. The past several years, have seen packages fail at astronomical levels.

You can not take for granted or a passive approach that packages will not have problems the first year any longer.

I hope with the ban on Australian bees, and some other changes in the bee industry, that we can at least get back to a point where packages are not failing before they get to the first winter.

[Michael Bush]

>Should I assume that the packages I receive will have some varroa infestation?

Yes.

>  If yes, would a powdered sugar treatment (or other treatment) right off the bat slow down their impact on the new colony?

You could.  You'd probably want to do it while they are still in the package.