Major Varroa Mite Infestation

[lvr]

It has happened. Three years of Beekeeping and I have my first varroa infestation. In three weeks (since my last inspection)there are mites everywhere.

I plan on harvesting my honey and treating with apistan immediately. I do not treat my hive regularly.

I hate to sound rediculous, but can someone please explain exactly how I should be hanging the strips in the hive? I don't understand the explanation provided in the directions.

I have one hive with three deeps and I will be removing two shallows worth of honey today.

Also, What should I do to eliminate the mite on the equipment I remove from the hive?

thanks
lvr

[Michael Bush]

If it was me, I'd go for the Oxalic acid, but if you want to sue the Apistan, the top of the strip is scored so you can bend it to make a "T" on the top that rests on the top bars and holds the strip up. Put them where there are bees, in the brood, not on the edges.

The first couple of times I used Apistan it worked great. The last time I used Apistan it failed and I lost all my bees. I'm afraid Apistan resistance is very common now.

I would monitor before and after to see how well it works. If they are resitant you will have to resort to something else.

[dcross]

How the heck did you avoid mites until now? Also, the mites won't live without the bees, so the supers will be fine.

[lvr]

The mites simply were not a problem. My Father-in-law was keeping bees here before me and he never had a problem in 10 years. I don't know why. Maybe because there are not many hives within 2 miles of us. I have only seen 2 single hives. Anyway, the hiaitus(sp?)is over and I hope I don't loose the bees. Thanks for the reply.

Lvr