NeilV
06-02-2007, 08:24 AM
My menthol questions keep coming up. As discussed in other posts, I had what I think is an acute T-mite problem in one of my nucs (possibly both but probably just the one). I put menthol in there, and the symptoms cleared up. However, people say leave menthol in 3 weeks at least.
Problem is, people don't usually use this stuff this time of year, so I'm not sure about the details. Following the package directions and my local mentor's suggestion, I put the menthol on the bottom board, and I also closed up the screened bottom board. (Menthol fumes are heavy, and in cooler weather they go on the top bars so the fumes settle down over the bees. When it is hot that could overdose the hive, so they go on the bottom board with the idea that the hotter air will disperse the fumes.)
Since these are new hives, I also have entrance reducers on. So far, it has not been too terribly hot, but its supposed to creep up to about 90 this week.
On the stronger hive, when it gets warm, I have seen about 30 or so bees hanging out on the hive porch near the entrance. On the weaker hive, there are about half that many doing the same thing. I'm not sure what they're doing, maybe getting some non-mentholated air or cooling off. They are not fanning.
Which brings me to my questions: Should I take the entrance reducers off the hives? Will the bees get too hot with the bottom boards closed and only a three inch exit hole for ventilation? Will taking the reducers off unnecessarily expose them to robbing, esp. the weak hive? Also, if it gets hot, I'm worried about overdosing the hive with menthol fumes. On the other hand, if I take off the reducers will the menthol do any good?
Also, I have thought about putting the menthol on the top bars and opening the SBB. Anybody ever done that to treat T-mites in warm weather? Would the menthol just fall out of the bottom of the hive and do no good?
Thanks for any thoughts anybody's got.
Problem is, people don't usually use this stuff this time of year, so I'm not sure about the details. Following the package directions and my local mentor's suggestion, I put the menthol on the bottom board, and I also closed up the screened bottom board. (Menthol fumes are heavy, and in cooler weather they go on the top bars so the fumes settle down over the bees. When it is hot that could overdose the hive, so they go on the bottom board with the idea that the hotter air will disperse the fumes.)
Since these are new hives, I also have entrance reducers on. So far, it has not been too terribly hot, but its supposed to creep up to about 90 this week.
On the stronger hive, when it gets warm, I have seen about 30 or so bees hanging out on the hive porch near the entrance. On the weaker hive, there are about half that many doing the same thing. I'm not sure what they're doing, maybe getting some non-mentholated air or cooling off. They are not fanning.
Which brings me to my questions: Should I take the entrance reducers off the hives? Will the bees get too hot with the bottom boards closed and only a three inch exit hole for ventilation? Will taking the reducers off unnecessarily expose them to robbing, esp. the weak hive? Also, if it gets hot, I'm worried about overdosing the hive with menthol fumes. On the other hand, if I take off the reducers will the menthol do any good?
Also, I have thought about putting the menthol on the top bars and opening the SBB. Anybody ever done that to treat T-mites in warm weather? Would the menthol just fall out of the bottom of the hive and do no good?
Thanks for any thoughts anybody's got.