Crashing Hives!

[Dave W]

Where are the reports of hives crashing from Varroa?

Usually, by this time each year, we have lots of posts that reflect serious infestations.

Hmmmm

[drobbins]

Dave

I noticed the same thing
last year lots of folks were freakin out by now
I'm doing my first organized sticky board test of the summer now
will post results tomorrow
everything "appears" to be fine

Dave

[peggjam]

I haven't seen many mites at all this year. One here and there, nothing to be alarmed about though.

[Dave W]

>Hmmmm . . .

I'll say again, hmmmmmmm.

Maybe "CCD" is a GOOD THING

[Oldbee]

HAPPY DAYS! are here again!!! The bees took off with the mites and CCD and died. They really LOVE us.. they really LOVE us!! beekeepers; well;......... maybe........ time will tell.

[George Fergusson]

Bah. It's not even the middle of July. Keep your pants on Dave, wait till mid-August...

[BjornBee]

Heck, Dave was seeing mites where others could not see them. Check out the picture down in the photo forum. Dave see's lots of mites as long as he's looking at someone elses hives.... (And of course for all those very sensitive types who "read" into everything....as George said..."keep your pants on". I'm only joking....

[Dave W]

BjornBee . . .

Please "check out the picture" and tell ME how many mites I report seeing.

Am I blind?

I love looking for mites (w/ my pants on or off ).

[George Fergusson]

BjornBee . . .
I love looking for mites (w/ my pants on or off ).

TMI! TMI! TMI!

[drobbins]

well, I can testify that the mites haven't all "CCD'ed" outta here
just finished 3 day sticky board tests on my 4 "strong" hives
I can't count mites like Dave W can but I'd guess they have about a hundred mites each over 3 days.
it's only mid summer, this is a little worrisome
I'll have to ponder my next move

Dave

[Keith Jarrett]

Just got finish with my first of three treatments yesterday.
Knocking down between 50-100 mites per hive of the 1700 hives. Want to be clean by middle of aug so will be ready for a aggressive pollen feeding campaige by the end of aug. But, may have to go back if needed in sept or oct if needed.

[drobbins]

what kind of treatment Keith?


Dave

[Keith Jarrett]

what kind of treatment Keith?


There are ten different ones that I use, depending on the heat/cold (wheather) and how much brood is on the bees and the time window in which I want them clean by.

the method I used yesterday is the fastest by far 1700 hives in one day, but, my not be the most approved method.

Did that sound like a politician answering your question.

[drobbins]

>> Did that sound like a politician answering your question.

no, it sounded like a commercial beek protecting his livelihood
a politician would have lied to me

Dave

[Chrissy Shaw]

I worry about mites making a jump to another from the Apis group and wish in vain they would jump to Vespa, while the solitary bees should be safe, certain bumblebees may not be.

I did not see any mites at all in the drone brood, but i did not open all drone brood, so it is merely a random sample, but where they were last year they are not this year. There may well be a disease that has reduced numbers, since they are not native, there may well be a disease from that group that jumped onto the mites and their own lack of resistance to a new disorder. Since these mites are very adaptable they may well return with amazing speed next season or the season afterwards.

If they have found a new host in ants or wasps then i wish them well, but that is a huge stretch...ya just can't fault a person for wishing. If the mites wait until August up here to fill drone brood for a population jump they are liable to find themselves without long term feeding in drone combs, things end rather quick up here for the drones. I have notice a great many drones this year and unlike last year adult drones have not been thrown out as they were and the brood dragged out with every dip in the temperature as buildup went on.

Last year i saw mites, this year i see none, that is as simple as it gets and unless you are in my bees, you don't see them either, it is simple as that. If you actually look at my bees then you can say yea or nay. Some people see ghosts in photos, i don't and that is what a photo can tell, esspecially digital.

Chrissy Shaw

[Dave W]

>Knocking down between 50-100 mites per hive . . .

If this treatment only "knocked down" 50-100 mites,
1) the treatment did not provide an effective "kill", or
2) there were not enough mites to warrant treatment.

What were your PRE-treatment count?

[dug_6238]

Heck, Dave was seeing mites where others could not see them. Check out the picture down in the photo forum. Dave see's lots of mites as long as he's looking at someone elses hives.... (And of course for all those very sensitive types who "read" into everything....as George said..."keep your pants on". I'm only joking....

reference:
http://www.beesource.com/forums/show...376#post249376

[Keith Jarrett]

Dave wrote,
>If this treatment only "knocked down" 50-100 mites,
>1) the treatment did not provide an effective "kill", or
>2) there were not enough mites to warrant treatment.

>What were your PRE-treatment count?

Dave, Pre-treatment was 50-100

We dont like to see any more mites than that at this time of year.

There were not enough mites to warrant treatment? Well Dave, do your bees look like this in Jan.

http://s148.photobucket.com/albums/s...t=100_1432.jpg

I can run an eight frame hive into the almonds for $150, how many frames do you see?? 24/8=3 x 150 = $$$$$

[peggjam]

Nice pics Keith, how many hives were in your holding yard......they went on just about like forever.

[Keith Jarrett]

Peggjam,

There's about 800 hives at that spot. What it is , is an old gravel mine. I spread the bee on the side of the road for about a mile, given patches of breaks a long the way.

I like this set up for pollen feeding, run the truck down the center of the road and have hives on either side .

I'm getting old 42 I think this is a young mans job.

I always said... I would marry a rich woman and buy her anything SHE could afford.

Well, as you can see, I'm married, my plan went to hel....