Treating Packages to Fight the Mite!

 

 

Remove mites from your packages and swarms!

Remove mites from your packages and swarms!

Fight the Mite! : Treating Packages and Swarms

Summary: This Spring many beekeepers will be replenishing dead hives with packages. As all bees have some level of varroa mites, controlling mites in newly installed hives before brood is capped is key to ensure colony growth in the spring and summer.
This is the best time to remove varroa!
Beekeepers  are encouraged to treat their package bees,  by doing the following:
  • Products should be used before brood is capped, about 1 week after hiving the package bees or swarms.
  • HopGuard II: Strips may be applied at the rate of one strip per five deep combs covered with bees in each brood super; see instructions HERE (page4).
  • Oxalic Acid: 5ml of oxalic solution per seam of  bees, per instructions
  • Retreat in the Summer if varroa counts are >2%, and in the Fall after honey supers are removed
  • Beekeepers are also encouraged to treat newly hived swarms before brood is capped, hives that have swarmed and are requeening and splits- once the capped brood have emerged, or any time a brood break is initiated.
For more info, contact Pat: info@nybeewellness.org