first time reading the white board.

[buford]

i checked two (out of my ten) hives using a white board under the SBB.

after 24 hours, i pulled them and counted about 10 mites each.

so, what does this mean? the only "non-toxic" medication i have ready to go is oxalic. but, i don't know if i can place the vaporizer box above the supers and zap them that way.

what should i be thinking when i count 10 mites in early june?

thanks.

[HarryVanderpool]

I would not be alarmed by those numbers.
I would however, test again in a week or two and this time leave the boards in for 72 hours and divide the number of mites by 3 to arrive at your 24 hour drop.
You didn't mention the make-up of the hives tested; are they full strength, double-deeps?
To answer your question, related to my average hive stength right now, here in Oregon, I would be thinking about my fall treatment strategy.
:cool:

[buford]

the hives are full strength (two deeps). thanks for the advice, i'll probably be asking this kind of stuff fairly often.

my fall treatment idea is to use vaporized OA. that's what i hit them with this spring and seems to have worked well. i just wonder how many mites i'll have before then (how fast they'll build up etc.).

thanks again

[HarryVanderpool]

My guess is that on August 1st you will have a drop of high 20s to low 30s.
That is taking into account no unusual events, swarming etc..
Thats my guess. Let us know so we can see if I'm out of whack too far. :rolleyes:
Sounds like you are in good shape and your bees are in good hands!
:cool:

[buford]

thanks.