Yearly Mite Treatment - What We Do
Yearly Mite Treatment Plan
As anyone who has taken our classes or met us in person, we stress the importance of treatment for varroa mites. In fact, we personally feel it’s so important that if you skip it, your bees chances of surviving are almost zero.
We get asked what we use to treat for mites throughout the year, so this post lists what we do! In addition,
Apiguard
PURPOSE: Varroa Mite Treatment / Tracheal Mite Treatment
WHEN TO USE: Summer (around 4th of July - after main nectar flow)
DESCRIPTION: You do not need the large bucket you linked to. That’s what I get to treat 100 colonies, but since you will have just two, the following will be just fine! I use this in the summer after the honey flow. These little tins are super easy to use and reduce the likelihood of getting it all over your clothes (which never comes out).
Oxalic Acid Vapor (OAX) Treatment
PURPOSE: Varroa Mite Treatment
WHEN TO USE: Summer (around 4th of July)
DESCRIPTION: Doing oxalic acid vapor (OAX) treatments, it takes some gear, and a tiny bit of an investment up front. If you can afford to purchase all of the gear, I’d make the investment, but if not, I do offer a service to come out and do all the treatments for you. I use OAX in Spring (now), Fall and Winter
LINK(s)
Oxalic Wand: https://www.mannlakeltd.com/varrox-oxalic-acid-vaporizer
Oxalic Acid: https://tinyurl.com/yepmnpsb
Battery: https://www.harborfreight.com/12v-10-ah-sealed-lead-acid-battery-62586.html
Safety Goggles: https://tinyurl.com/yekg676f (personal choice to use)
Respirator: https://tinyurl.com/yhyztddp (personal choice to use)
Acid Filters for Respirator: https://tinyurl.com/ygjbm6oz (personal choice to use)
ApiVar
PURPOSE: Varroa Mite Treatment
WHEN TO USE: Fall after OAX treatments.
DESCRIPTION: I use these in the Fall (meaning end of August) to treat for mites before winter hits. You’ll leave these in the hive for 45 days as it slowly kills mites in all phases of development.
Fumagilin-b or Fumidil-B
PURPOSE: Treatment of Nosema. This isn’t a mite treatment, but important to include in your yearly maintenance.
WHEN TO USE: Spring and Fall
DESCRIPTION: Fumagilin is harder and harder to find, but fortunately a new company started making a similar product. I treat with this in the Spring and Fall. You won’t need a lot for two colonies so this dosage should get you a treatment for each.