Well, having just recently boasted that as the only beekeeper here in Orosay I am free of varroa and other diseases and pests, I have today noticed a few bees with what appeared to be two wings on one or both sides. And worse still I seem to be finding a lot of dead bees outside the hives which on inspection most if not all have this condition. So I quickly found myself reading up on Acarine Mite. The books I have recommend treating with Folbex VA, but supply of this appears to have been banned under EU legislation. And something the EU specializes in: no alternative has been approved. Any suggestions? Crucial, as after having got down to just one colony I've just in the past week harvested supersedure queen cells which I'm using to divide that colony. So hopefully lots of new young bees - all of which in first 9 days will be vulnerable to Acarine Mite! Anyone have experience in using the grease patty method?
The bee inspector had a wee look at my colonies this spring and said that he doesn't consider acarine as a problem now that thymol is used as a varroa treatment.
I very much doubt that Bayvarol will do the job as it is a contact acaricide and the mite is hidden within the tracheae. I would recommend Apiguard and then Diane Sammaturo (sp?) recommends the prophylactic use of a grease patty placed on top of the brood frames. Mix is crisco and sugar 2lb sugar to one pound crisco. Menthol impregnated towels ( menthol dissolved in canola) are also said to work but you need to use a microwave to heat and dissolve the menthol which I would immagine stink the house out.
Bookmarks