Hillside
11-04-2004, 03:22 PM
Instead of just treating without knowing if it's necessary, I'm trying to do a better job of monitoring mites. I don't have screened bottom boards and it's hard to get a piece of #8 wire and a greased sheet into the hive without crushing some bees. I've just been trying to slide the wire and sheet in the hive entrance. It works OK, but not great.
Do I need to pull the hive apart to do this right. I would rather get a "normal state" measurement without getting the hive all buzzed up by breaking it open.
It's also getting cold at night and I'd prefer not to be breaking the boxes apart any more unless I really have to.
By the way, the measurements I've been able to do have shown very low levels. Maybe 0.5 to 1 mite per day. When I pulled the honey this fall I dumped quite a lot of powdered sugar between the frames. After a few minutes the sugar worked all the way down to the bottom board and the bees were pretty well covered. I don't know if this method of application really helps, but I was there anyway and it was really easy to do.
Even though everything looks really good right now, I am sooooo tempted to put in some strips.
Do I need to pull the hive apart to do this right. I would rather get a "normal state" measurement without getting the hive all buzzed up by breaking it open.
It's also getting cold at night and I'd prefer not to be breaking the boxes apart any more unless I really have to.
By the way, the measurements I've been able to do have shown very low levels. Maybe 0.5 to 1 mite per day. When I pulled the honey this fall I dumped quite a lot of powdered sugar between the frames. After a few minutes the sugar worked all the way down to the bottom board and the bees were pretty well covered. I don't know if this method of application really helps, but I was there anyway and it was really easy to do.
Even though everything looks really good right now, I am sooooo tempted to put in some strips.