View Full Version : Placing treatments on bottom board
Daisy
10-02-2003, 10:29 AM
It's getting cooler and bees don't want their hives opened right now, I can tell, they're not as tolerant.
I have to add my next dose of oily rags to the hives and wonder if putting it in the back of the hive on the floor will be affective.
I dissolved a few balls of menthol in the mix and this should be below the bees when it's cooler outside, and I'd like to thwart the efforts of wax moths and mice from getting inside.
I'd like opinions, and I'll be trying this today.
Michael Bush
10-02-2003, 10:48 AM
The menthol etc. will evaporate either way. I'm guessing it's probably heavier than air, but then the bees ventilate and move the air around anyway. My guess is it will have some effect, but not quite as good as on the top bars.
Dave W
10-02-2003, 07:31 PM
Greetings Daisy,
Maybe I misread your post, "menthol . . should be below the bees when it's cooler outside".
But, menthol is place BELOW the bees when it's HOT, because menthol can melt and run.
Menthol does NOT vaporize well in cold weather. If crystals are placed on bottom-board in winter, I dont think it will be very effective.
Paper towels saturated w/ menthol, are place on top-bars, where I assume, they are chewed-up and the menthol is consumed rather than inhaled.
Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Good Luck!
Dave W
odfrank
10-02-2003, 08:53 PM
Daisy, you must be a nurse, or a hypochondriac. Leave those poor bees alone !
Michael Bush
10-03-2003, 10:03 AM
Her treatment isn't menthol crystals. It's Vicks Vapo Rub spiked with extra Thymol and a few other odds and ends.
Daisy
10-09-2003, 06:41 PM
odfrank
Just be glad that you're not married to me.
ROFL!!!!
He hehehe
Oh and a question. The stuff is on fabric on the floor.
But should I not have menthol mixed in oils on paper towels over the frames?
dickm
10-26-2003, 06:34 AM
Daisy,
I think it's too late for crystals by far since they need warmth to sublimate. I think the mere odor is not enough, the gas needs to be more concentrated. My take is that the towels get the curative element closer to the bees (and therefore the mites).
A gentleman from our club, says put the towels on the top super in the winter, so you don't disturb the cluster. Keep doing it as you can. His name is Ed Weiss and I think his book is, "The Queen and I". He knows stuff.
Dickm
ZEEBEE
11-01-2003, 07:16 PM
DICKM,
Ed Weiss?!? Wow. I have his video which came with my starter set. His book was teriffic. I'm glad he's still around. Is he well?
My favorite line from his video: And as the honey flows....so does your heart flow...
I'm gonna say that everytime I extract honey!
dickm
11-02-2003, 05:36 AM
He's very much around and does some beekeepers supplies. He's on the board of our club as is Howland Blackiston the author of Beekeeping for Dummies. Last week we had Jim Tew come in and give a talk. What a great speaker. This is what you call an "embarassment of riches"!
Jack Grimshaw
11-02-2003, 04:21 PM
OK Dick....
You've got me.....
Bee Club Envy....
Jack
dickm
11-03-2003, 02:30 PM
Jack,
Since you're in Enfield, may I invite you down for a meeting. This applies to anyone near enough to make it. It takes place in Weston on the last tues of the month. This month we meet earlier, on Nov. 18. There will be a presenter from the National Honey Board to speak on "Cooking with Honey". E-mail me if you're interested.
dickm@snet.net
Dick Marron