1. Your bees might running out of food and eat the larva?
2. You might have a big Varroa problem, larva die already in the cells and the bees try to clean the combs.
The bee in the middle of the comb has a NICE Varroa on her back.
It is too late for a Thymol or formic treatment; the temperatures are not high enough for a successful treatment.
I would treat with a vaporizer and OA at least 4 times a week apart. Remember your bees producing winter bees and there is no guarantee for the hive to survive.
Next year start treating in August when the mites are on the last summer bees.
Since virtually all hives anywhere have some varroa, I wouldn’t throw in the towel just yet. What you might be actually observing is hygienic behavior. Which is what we are trying to cultivate in our bee stock. Read the article ( Getting Bee Back on Their Own Six Feet) in October American Bee Journal, written by Dr. Marla Spivak University of Minnesota. I attended her queen rearing class in July, hygienic behavior is a top priority in stock selection. If indeed your bees are exhibiting hygienic behavior your hive will not only survive but will flourish.
Only way to know is do a mite count. Alcohol wash is most accurate... if they are loaded with mites and accompanying virus they certainly won't survive the winter. Time to check is almost past.
Alcohol wash is most accurate……. Well you have to kill approx 300 bees you need in a hive this time of the year.
With alcohol wash you will know how many mites are on 300 bees. With one OA evaporation, it takes 2 minutes without harm the bees; you will know 24-48 hours later how many mites your hive has. You kill all mites outside closed cells and not only a few on 300 bees.
i don't think we have wax moths here and yhey don't seem to be in a line.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Beesource Beekeeping Forums
1.8M posts
54.7K members
Since 1999
A forum community dedicated to beekeeping, bee owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about breeding, honey production, health, behavior, hives, housing, adopting, care, classifieds, and more!