MiteAway 2

[Dubhe]

I started a course of MiteAway 2 on my hives & I had a couple of questions that weren't answered by the product label or the Nod web site;

* Can the colony be fed (preferably with a hivetop feeder) during treatment?
* I had 2 days during the 1st week of treatment that got above 80F (despite the forecast) & the pads were removed, then replaced. Do I add 2 days to the course or should they be removed on the 21st day?
* I inserted the bottom trays on the SBBs to better seal the hive. Is this adequate or should I have replaced them with conventional BBs?

[jean-marc]

I would't hav ebotheres to remove the pad unless the temperature went sky high especially if it had been on for a few days already. It gasees off quite quickly6 the first few days the the colony settles down a bit and the evaporation rate slows somewhat. Add a couple days to the treatment. Sealing off the SBB will do just fine, no need to put a conventional BB.

Jean-Marc

[Dubhe]

Thanks Jean-Marc. The girls don't seem any worse for the wear, but your advice is reassuring. I'll try regressing them next year & powdered sugar if needed, but meanwhile MA2 seemed like a good soft control for now.

[Dubhe]

For anyone else using Miteaway 2, I received the official word from Liz Corbet of NOD Apiary Products. She very graciously responded to my questions about the product;

> * Can the colony be fed (preferably with a hivetop feeder) during
> treatment?

Yes, you may feed during treatment. It may take the bees 4 or 5 days to
start taking the feed (they don't like to go past the pad due to the
formic vapors). Eventually they will start taking the feed.

> * I had 2 days during the 1st week of treatment that got above 80F
(despite the forecast) & the pads were removed, then replaced. Do I add 2
days to the course or should they be removed on the 21st day?

Yes, add 2 days to treatment, if the pads were put back in the plastic
pail with the lid on securely so they didn't evaporate in the open air.

> * I inserted the bottom trays on the SBBs to better seal the hive. Is this
adequate or should I have replaced them with conventional BBs?

If the trays are fairly tight that should be sufficient to seal the hive.


> * Can the hive be opened & inspected during the treatment?

Yes, but preferably wait until after the first week of treatment, which is
the most crucial for achieving high mite drops.