I tried it one year but it seemed to make no difference. Then I read the IBRA report and stopped.
My varroa was higher last year (I only Apiguard and oxalic) so this year I will add drone brood culling and also give Hiveclean a go.
I tried it one year but it seemed to make no difference. Then I read the IBRA report and stopped.
My varroa was higher last year (I only Apiguard and oxalic) so this year I will add drone brood culling and also give Hiveclean a go.
Thanks for that link
I like to check out any methods I haven't heard of and test them if they look promising
I have tried sugar dusting and I think its useless as part of IPM plan
HI Black comb you could try this it works better and is cheaper than apiguard
thymol 500grm dissolved in 1 Ltr surgical spirit
2 sponges 3" square on broodbox top bars
20ml solution on each sponge repeat after 2 weeks
Last edited by The Drone Ranger; 23-03-2013 at 10:47 AM.
Thanks. Yes will try this type this year.
I use oasis from the local florist instead of sponges though I have used them before. In theory the oasis should be easier for the bees to clear out which I'd hope would get the thymol through the hive more effectively, but only one of my colonies makes any real effort to clear it out.
Hi Neils
Haven't tried Oasis
Lidl sell these flat type you may have tried them
http://www.lidl.com.cy/cps/rde/xchg/...4179_18795.htm
Which chopped into 4 gives you 20 about the right size enough for 10 hives
The thymol mix is put on with the sponge in place with a syringe (big 30/40ml job)
The bees don't clear these sponges they are too tough
Thymol carried by evaporating surgical spirit needs smallish entrance and fairly air tight hive
That means less mess though and it works well
Very cheap
Last edited by The Drone Ranger; 23-03-2013 at 06:07 PM.
I saw this in action 2 summers back then checked the bees last summer. They were the most agitated bees I've seen on thymol. And the sponge material seemed to get incorporated in the propolis.
I'd rather stick with one of the commercial preparations or just plain thymol crystals in a jar lid on the top bars which also works.
Sent from my BlackBerry 8520 using Tapatalk
Bookmarks