What's going on with Hopguard?

[dnichols]

Can anyone tell me why Hopguard is being blocked by states? Actually as of last year some states that allowed it now have restricted it. Mass is an example. I have been watching the Mann Lake site and the # of states is dwindling. Very frustrating!

[Bush_84]

Not sure but I know that many have been frustrated with the confusion of application. They did not make it clear that you need three successive applications. Maybe that has something to do with it. Not sure.

[Intheswamp]

Not sure but I know that many have been frustrated with the confusion of application. They did not make it clear that you need three successive applications. Maybe that has something to do with it. Not sure.

I don't think BetaTec intended for Hopguard to be used in three successive applications so there was no attempt to instruct in this type of application. I believe the "three successive treatment" regimen was discovered by beeks. BetaTec only states that it can be used three times a year...their information says nothing about making three successive applications...it appears Mann Lake is the one recommending the three successive applications. Here is a thread from a year+ ago here on Beesource discussing the "progressive application" of Hopguard.... Progressive Hopguard Treatment

Ed

[mmiller]

I've had excellent results using with Hopguard. The key has been pointed out many times. Three successive applications. I have had absolute success using it in this way. I've been using it at the end of summer when I pull my supers for the last 2 years. It has worked as well as anything I've tried. If I was treating a few hives I would continue using it but last year I treated 30 hives and it was expensive. 4 strips per hive X 3 treatments = 12 strips. Multiply that times 30 and it is not a cheap way to go. This year I'll be running around 50 hives and have no intention on using Hopguard for that reason alone.
In my opinion it works really well as long as you understand that it will not help with capped brood (hence the multiple treatments).

Mike

[Kieck]

I'm not sure, but Hopguard was given a Section 18 registration. Those emergency registrations must be renewed each year in each state. My guess is that the manufacturer simply isn't pursuing full registration, and might not be going through all the trouble and expense to get all the Section 18 registrations.

http://www.epa.gov/opprd001/section18/

[JRG13]

Probably what Kieck says. Didn't make enough money in those states to renew possibly.

[jim lyon]

Hopguard II is currently working its way through the registration process. It is supposed to last long enough to require only a single treatment. Early tests are quite encouraging. My guess is that is the reason the manufacturer didn't pursue getting full registration.

[Tim B]

I tried it and it was totally ineffective. Mite counts before and after were unchanged. Maybe I had a bad batch but I won't be purchasing it again.

[JRG13]

I'm not sure how effective it was for me either, hopefully what's left in the hive will survive though.

[jim lyon]

Would you give us some more info on that Tim? Temps, populations, number of treatments etc.

[Ian]

you have to realize this treatment has to be used with little to no brood present,

[Intheswamp]

A couple of comments at the Auburn Honey Bee Symposium last weekend were that it simply did not work, and thus...Hopguard II.

Ed

[shinbone]

It sure would be helpful when people report the results of using a treatment that they include the details of how they used it, temperature, length of application, number of applications, etc.

Up till now, I've been reading mostly favorable reports on Hopguard.

[chickenia]

If it did not work, my girls weren't told....they are doing great! i gave three consecutive weekly treatments last fall ending by mid October - temps in the mid 60's to mid 70 degrees. On the last application I just left the strips in. I am in the Appalachian Mountains and we have a bit more of cold weather to go I am pretty sure. Though today is in in the mid forties and they are pretty active. I will use the treatment again in the spring per directions and see how it goes....so far, very pleased.

[chickenia]

Are they actually now making available soon HopGuard II?

[jim lyon]

you have to realize this treatment has to be used with little to no brood present,

I don't think this is the case Ian though it is surely must be more effective with less brood present. The company suggests it is effective even in mid summer. The recommended dosage is two strips per 10 frame deep box meaning a double would need to be split and two more double strips placed down below. Also perhaps a follow up treatment or two at intervals follow up may be needed. I think that's the problem with mid summer treatment of large hives full of brood. It gets to be an expensive time consuming operation. However in my mind it would be ideal in an early spring application to safely knock back mite numbers particularly in smaller nucs and also as a fall treatment once cluster sizes have dropped below mid summer levels.

[Tim B]

3 hives that were crashing, 3 frames of bees with little or no brood and 30 count mite loads. After two treatments still 30 count mite loads. All three were ultimately robbed out and the mites were assuredly dispersed to other hives but was able to clean them up with oa dribble.

[Tim B]

I probably need to add that the count was "sugar shake" on 200 bees done before, during and at the end of two weeks. I just didn't see any evidence that mites were being killed. Maybe I had a bad batch. Maybe it is working for others but I'm past the days of putting something in and assuming it works if the bees live. The actual count is the measure of effectiveness.

[jim lyon]

I don't know Tim. I am not a spokesman for the product, nor have I ever even used it but I have talked to some that have used it with good success. I look at it as just another tool that will no doubt work better in some scenarios than others, not a panacea. The real attractiveness to me is the apparent safety of the product with no real rigid treatment windows or temperature requirements though I would be a bit apprehensive about using it in real high temps.

[Haraga]

Does anyone have experience with hopguard on first year hives that started as packages?