[labradorfarms]

I have two very healthy hives. Vmites have not been a problem. Even so I was thinking of doing a sugar shake just to clear out some V mites because I know they are always with Bee's! Even if the count is low....

Is it a good idea to do a sugar shake just for the sake of keeping the mite population low?? I mean a sugar shake wont hurt bees.

As I understand the shake gets then Bees to pick the mites off of each other then the mites fall to the oil trap and die. Correct?
Whats the proper way to do a Sugar Shake? I thought just get my old sugar sifter out and dust the hive and bees...

 

[beeman2009]

Sugar shake is fine if it's needed. First need to take a mite count by putting a cup full of bees from the brood area in a qt jar with some powdered sugar and a wire mesh top. Shake them around good to get them coated and then shake the sugar out onto a paper plate. Spray the sugar with water to melt it and see what's left. If needed make a screen board the size of your hive. Remove top, inner cover & all supers. put screen on hive and spread app 1 cup of powdered sugar per deep on the screen. Use a bee brush, new paint brush or even some grass to work sugar evenly through screen. Repeat for each brood box. 2 notes here; DO NOT shake while supers are on. DO NOT use store bought powdered sugar unless it is free of corn starch, make your own by adding regular sugar, about 1 cup at a time, to your blender. Pulse on LOW until sugar is powdered.

Check youtube for how to videos. Hope this helps

 

[waynesgarden]

I do powdered sugar dusting all the time w/ store-bought powdered sugar. Not a problem as the bees are not feeding on it. They can't get it out of the hive fast enough.

You could use a flour sifter. Brush it off the top of the frames into the spaces between. Just need to do the brood areas.

Wayne

 

[Rusty Hills Farm]

I do powdered sugar dusting all the time w/ store-bought powdered sugar. Not a problem as the bees are not feeding on it. They can't get it out of the hive fast enough.

This is my experience as well.

Rusty