Hi nemphlar I usually just let the bees reduce the cells but I will keep a close eye this year
Sent from my LIFETAB_S1034X using Tapatalk
Hi nemphlar I usually just let the bees reduce the cells but I will keep a close eye this year
Sent from my LIFETAB_S1034X using Tapatalk
American Bee Journal sent me the full text of Pettis & Shimanuki 1999.
It does mention the 2" drop idea: "Other studies (Pettis unpublished data) have shown that separating bees and fallen mites by half an inch resulted in 75% reduction in mite re-entry, while two inches of separation resulted in no mites re-entering the colony"... interestingly different from what I found quoted on t'internet!
The main message of the study is that having a mesh floor slowed the expansion of mite population in the tested hives, but wasn't sufficient to control mite population on its own. Which matches what I remember being told whenever it was that I was first learning about OMFs.
Good to hear it's making a difference Emma, the 3" drop in my set up is more about the structure of the stool than good information. Better to be lucky than good.
Bookmarks