Can Cold Temperatures With Excessive Ventilation Naturally Aid In Pest Control?

[Ben Framed]

Along with shade versus full sun, I have noticed the colonies in full sun that have more beetles than the others are usually the ones with the highest varroa mite counts.

I have noticed, in the same beeyard, the hives placed where there is alot more shade are the ones that have much higher varroa counts later in the season.  At one yard, this has been a consistent observation for 3 years in a row.  No beetle issues here so cannot correlate the two together.
Just an FYI observation from here.

Mr HP I have noticed the same thing with SHB here in my area. It seems that they do better against a hive in the shady areas. I had heard this and trusted that the experienced folks were accurate in their reports. So me being me, I had to experiment with both eyes open so to speak, found the same results to be true as others who report of such with SHB. So; it is apparent that the sun is the best place for bees in conjunction concerning both of these pesky parasites. Thank you for your report of varroa backed with your years of experience to verify. Much appreciated. 👍🏻

[Ben Framed]

This old topic may be appreciated by some of our newer members and guest.

Phillip

[buzzbee]

Here is a link to a former member Finsky that kept bees near the Arctic circle in Finland. Bear in mind, English was a second language and he was a argumentative type.
He had a lot of experience on COLD weather beekeeping and I used to enjoy reading a lot of his stuff,but also had to spend time at removing some of his posts with warning for various reasons of infractions not all due to language barrier.

https://beemaster.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;area=showposts;u=448
https://beemaster.com/forum/index.php?action=search2

His profile also had Finski with letter I at the end.
https://beemaster.com/forum/index.php?topic=40142.msg340598#msg340598

[Ben Framed]

Thanks Ken.,Finskis numbers on Winter clusters influenced by varroa are no surprise; and good stuff for those who may not know. As per TheHoneyPump  Reply 18 in this old topic of cold treatment suggestion for varroa control, I went ahead with a one hive Winter experiment with excessive ventilation in a spinoff to his thoughts. I was pleasantly surprised that the hive not only survived, but thrived., I will try and find that well discussed and debated spin off topic and post the address here.

Phillip

[Ben Framed]

I found it;
Some seemed to react with overwhelming scrutiny and skepticism . . (Almost to the point of attack!)  lol
In spite of, I stayed focused on the points of the experiment. Reminding that open minded fair (discussion and debate) are special-cut keys that can open doors to new knowledge. I hope any who might view the following will keep this in mind., 


Cold Weather and Ventilation Experiment

https://beemaster.com/forum/index.php?topic=55226.msg503978#msg503978

[buzzbee]

I was always humored with the bluntness  ,but as I said he could push the boundaries too far.And reading his English translation was interesting at times too.
I'm not sure,but I think he may have taught at a University, but don't hold me too it.

[Ben Framed]

I have read much of his stuff Ken. The man knew his stuff and apparently didn?t have patience for those who questioned his confident knowledge. I would not doubt that he was a professor, and if not, should have been in my opinion. Too bad his strength/weakness wouldn?t allow him to follow the rules of the Bylaws.

Phillip

[Terri Yaki]

OK, now you guys are making me wonder and re-think this. My hive is set up with small entrance on the porch with my plastic mouse excluder, which will basically just let me know if I have a mouse problem. I have three boxes, two deep and one medium, the top two are pretty full of honey. Up top I have a vent cut into the inner cover that's just a little bigger than the small entrance on the bottom and it faces upward. I have 2" styrofoam insulation between the inner cover and the outer cover. Should I reduce the size of that upper opening? I recently looked inside on a warmer day, removing the top cover and insulation only. I saw no signs of moisture there. The bees are clustered in the bottom box last time I checked.

[buzzbee]

Terri,
You should be okay with your setup. You've treated for mites otherwise.
The varroa actually stay on the bees if they can not access the brood. Which makes for better treatment when there is little brood in the hive. Finski and Eastern Europe had been dealing with mites long before it was an issue here. Hence the reason so many people wanted the Russian strain of honeybees due to mite resistance. I had two hives of Russians from queens acquired and requeened.
They were the nastiest bees I ever had.
Don't make any radical changes if your bees survive and thrive.

[iddee]

Terri, many years ago, all beekeepers drilled a 3/4 inch hole near the top of each deep. The bees would use propolis to adjust the size of that hole as needed. That was before million dollar dealers coming up with a gazillion new gadgets to get your money.

[buzzbee]

Most inner covers have a notch you can flip up or down and slide outer cover forward or back to narrow it up.

[iddee]

Just make it large enough. The bees will reduce as needed. I have had hives close the inner cover hole completely at times.

[The15thMember]

I one time had a colony attempt to seal off an entire screened inner cover.    I didn't make them do all that work though, I just switched it out for a solid one. 

[Terri Yaki]

OK, I'll just leave it bee. Sliding the outer cover back to close it won't work right now because I have a piece of 2" insulation under the outer cover, which leaves that entrance out in the open. I could shove some grass in there and see what they do with it but I don't think they'll do much right now, they're not coming to the top at the moment.

[beesnweeds]

If bees are going to close up holes here, they would have to do it by September.  Between October and March bees can't collect or adjust holes with propolis in northern climates.  Propolis gets like peanut brittle here.

[The15thMember]

That's a good point, beesnweeds.  Even in my more mild winters, my bees will rarely fix a broken propolis seal, unless we have a string of unseasonably warm days.   

[buzzbee]

That's a good point, beesnweeds.  Even in my more mild winters, my bees will rarely fix a broken propolis seal, unless we have a string of unseasonably warm days.   

It looks like skunk cabbage comes back to life your way in February sometime.Maybe early food source?
An interesting plant as it provides it's own heat source.