I have two hives. One is strong and the other isn't. I've been a really bad beekeeper this year... more like a bee-have-er. Anyway, there are hundreds of bees with deformed wings being ejected from the hives. This has been going on for weeks. I have decided to do little to try to get these hives to survive. In the worse-off one, I did treat with those Formic acid pads. The numbers of mites hasn't been overwhelming, but for sure they are there.
I would guess that I have DWV in my hives, and I imagine that both hives won't survive till next year. In the spring, will I need to cut out all the old comb and let them build anew? I wouldn't have to (gulp) destroy all the frames, would I???
I just want to know what to expect for springtime...
You do not have to destroy wax frames boxes or anything else except the mites. Mites do not contaminate the wax so if the wax is in good shape now it will be good for next spring.
You should practice comb replacement to ensure your comb does not get too old and contaminated from any treatments you perform. I think the plan is to do 2 frames per season in each of the brood chamber boxes. That way over 5 years all of the brood comb is replaced.
When all the bees are dead, make sure no other disease, like AFB is present. Store the frames "as is" and reuse whenever.
It is possible to have DWV and have very FEW mites. Is is also possible to LOTs and lots of mites and NOT have DWV. But its always BEST not to have (many) mites.
>I'm hoping . . .
You'll have to DO something, "hoping" has never worked
Tracheal mites can also cause may problems in a hive. With Varroa being the most visual pest tracheal mites have been relegate to backstage. Formic acid is also effective against the number two mite.
It would probably be a good idea to give formic to the other hive. It would have been even better to give it on the same day as the other one. In my observations succesful beekeepers are the ones that provide what the bees need when they need it. If your bew3es need feed do so now, don't wait 3 weeks, it will be too late. I'm not familiar with your area but I think you may still have to time to feed.
Jean-Marc
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