What does the sugar shake really do?

[Myron Rotruck]

Ok you've convinced me, I am getting ready to do a sugar shake, (my first). I need to know (1) Is there a certain brand name of powdered sugar that I need to get?  (2) how much powdered sugar do I use for one ten frame deep hive?  (3) Is it best to do this late in the afternoon, or when?  (4) Does this powdered sugar kill the mites or just knock them off the bees?  (5) Also do I need to remove the bottom board and clean this sugar and mites out of the hive? (6) If so how soon after the shake?

Boy, I was in these hives a day or two back, and these girls were testy.  I don't think they are going to go for this without getting in your face, if you know what I mean. Wish me luck, and let me know something ASAP.

[Mici]

i want to add a question, again

(7) is it dangerous for bees to get robbed?

[Brian D. Bray]

Testy bees are often the result of short supply of nectar sources (as has been the case this year in many areas) or changing (negetively) weather conditions.
A Sugar Shake actually feeds the bees as well as causing the mites to deminish f through the grooming action of removing the sugar powder that also pries loose the mites.
The best powdered sugar to use is that label as IMO.
Switch to screened bottom boards (SBB).  The mites that are loosened due to grooming will fall off the bees and through the screen and out of the  hive.  The good thing about a SBB is that it keeps on working 24/7 as every mite dislodged from the bees falls out of the hive where they then become dinner for ants and other insects.
A Sugar shake should be done with a minimum of 3 applications spaced 10 days apart.  Until then the bees will clean the hive as long as the entrance is not blocked.  But if you like you can sweep it out using your beek brush.

[Myron Rotruck]

Thanks for the information so far. But I do not have the screen bottom, I am sure they would be nice to have in my situation right now. Mr Bray answered a couple of my questions, but need the information on the other five questions. Thanks Mr Bray I value your input, I think you have alot of bee experience and knowledge

[pembroke]

for some of us: What is sugar shake and what is it for?

[Mici]

i don't know it all but i do know the basics.
it's powdering your BEES not brood or anything else with sugar-powder one, you do it by shaking this powder in between the frames of the LR hive, so the bees get powder sugar on themselves.
it's to remove mites-varoa, the sugar does not effect varoa, but the bees fell like they're "dirty" so they groom each other and by grooming they also remove mites.

[Brian D. Bray]

>>(1) Is there a certain brand name of powdered sugar that I need to get?

As stated IMO is preferred but any confectioners sugar will work.  Powdered Sugar with starch is okay and, in fact, the starch may increase the grooming necessary to dislodge the mites.

>>(2) how much powdered sugar do I use for one ten frame deep hive?

Figure a 1 lb box per hive per application.  Remember to shake the sugar between the top frames of the top brood box.  That way the entire brood chamber gets treated each time.

>>(3) Is it best to do this late in the afternoon, or when?

Whenevertime is not critical, however, choosing a time when there are lots of bees in the hive will increase the effect of the shake.  This means late afternoon in my book.

>>(4) Does this powdered sugar kill the mites or just knock them off the bees?

Neither, it causes the bees to engage in self and mutual grooming which dislodges the mites.

>>(5) Also do I need to remove the bottom board and clean this sugar and mites out of the hive?

The bees will make use of the powdered sugar so little clean up us necessary--just be sure not to apply it in such a way that the entrance becomes blocked.

>>(6) If so how soon after the shake?

Only if the entrance becomes blocked and in that case the sooner the better.

>>(7) is it dangerous for bees to get robbed?

Yes, robbing, if unchecked, is a death sentence for a hive.  A stronger hive will rob a weaker hive of all its stores and the weaker hive further depletes itself defending itself.  It is best to prevent robbing or stop it if and when it develops.  Feeding a hive with internal feeders is one way--avoid community feeders.

hope that helps.

[Michael Bush]

>(4) Does this powdered sugar kill the mites or just knock them off the bees?

It just causes them to end up off of the bees.  The scientists don't seem to have a definitive answer why.  They guess it's a combination of the sugar (or any inert dust) intefering with the "suction cups" on the mites feet, the dust causing the bees to groom and the dust causing the mites to let go to groom themselves.

[John Jones]

Powered Sugar is ground up sugar with a little corn starch in it to keep it from sticking together over time.  I saw a youtube video with BlendTec where they made powered sugar from granualated sugar in a blender by gringing the sugar.  I tried it and it works perfectly.  You need to use what you gring up so it will not stick together (no corn starch).

John Jones
Stone Mountain, Ga.

[qa33010]

   I only use a cup per ten frame deep.  If I have two deeps of brood I use two cups on the top of the top box and brush it between the frames and watch the white ghosts appear.  It will work its way to the bottom.

    If you want to do more work you can always swap bottom boards to clean them of mites or to do a mite count if you desire.  If you go to SBB you can just use a tray under the screen and you're set.  I bought some trays from a restaraunt supply store in Searcy for less than a bee supply store, same size.

[Pond Creek Farm]

It is my understanding, however, that sugar shakes are not to be done while honey supers are on the hive. 

[Brian D. Bray]

It is my understanding, however, that sugar shakes are not to be done while honey supers are on the hive. 

Sugar shakes are performed only on the brood chambers not on the supers.  Remove the supers when doing a sugar shake.  The powdered sugar will not harm the bees and is edible.  For shaking the sugar either use a screen (Imirie shim with window screen attached) to sift the sugar through and onto the bees between the frames or a quart or pint jar with a window screen replacing the lid but held in place by a canning ring.
Dust between the frames, you want the sugar to fall on the bees.  The sugar is like grease to the mites, it is slippery and they fall off.
It is also best to use Screened bottom boards when doing sugar shakes.