Mite Away II and package holes???

[Gerald1792]

I just removed my Mite Away II from my hives after the prescribed 21 days and the holes in the bottom of the pads plastic envelope were sealed with bee's wax. Should I worry about low acid levels as a reselt of this? I did see a fair amount of dead mites on the tray in my bottom board but not thousands, more like hundreds.

Thanks, Mark Charlton, NY

[Dwight]

Gerald,
I had the same problem this year except they completely sealed the whole pad with wax. I am sure it reduces negates the effect of the treatment, how much depends on how soon they seal it up. IMHO this is a drawback to Mite away II.
I think the only real solution to the mites is resistant stock. All the variuos chemicals and treatments are a pain in the butt to administer and they all have drawbacks. I think most of them do more harm than good.
If we add up all the cost of all the medications and feed we buy and the time to administer it all we can save money letting the weak colonies perish and buy replacements every spring!
I think the answer is too regress to small cell comb and raise enough midsummer nucs to replace our annual losses.

[David VanderDussen]

Hi Gerald;

The bees vary alot in how they deal with the MAII pad. Some wax/propolized them over, when they can approach them, some hives chew the holes larger and the bees can be seen inside the pouches, rubbing against the pad. I've seen hives with a pile of sawdust out front! When checking inside those hives the pad is being chewed up by the bees and is being carried out the front door.

Regardless, the treatment has taken place by the time the bees are sealing over the holes as you describe. Waxing them over does not occur until the bees can work at the hole sites, which means most of the acid has vaporized out into the hive. It sounds like you have good strong hives, and that they should winter well, with their varroa and tracheal mites under control.
dv.