Ways to Treat For Bee Mites in the Winter
When winter comes, there are some things you can do to prevent mites from becoming a problem. First, you should treat the hives before the mites get a chance to reproduce. If you do this, you’ll reduce mite levels later in the season.
Powdered sugar
One of the most effective methods for controlling mites in the winter is applying powdered sugar on the hive. Combined with a screen bottom board and green plastic brood comb, this treatment is an excellent option for controlling mites without using chemicals. The mites prefer the cells in which the drone pupae are present and will die off if frozen and returned to the hive.
The powdered sugar treatment is effective for approximately three weeks, but can be repeated more often if the mites are particularly severe. The powdered sugar falls between the bee frames and coats them, forcing the mites to release from their bodies. The mites will float to the bottom board of the screen and fall off the bee during the next flight.
To use this treatment, prepare a large jar with a lid. Then, place about half a cup of bees into the jar. Next, place a circle of #8 screen over the jar and cover with a canning ring. Sprinkle the bees with two tablespoons of powdered sugar through the screen. Make sure to wear a glove while doing this treatment to avoid contact with the sugar. The sugar will dislodge the mites from the bees, allowing the bees to groom themselves.
The mites can be hard to detect, but you can make it easier by using a sticky board. It takes 24 hours for a piece of sticky board to attract the mites. A test like this can reveal the presence of 15 to 40 percent of the mites in a hive. In the Midwest, a spring mite infestation of three percent is considered unacceptable. In late season, it’s better to treat for 10 or more mites.
Api-bioxal
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) has registered Api-bioxal, a compound that reduces the mite population. This compound is most effective when applied during the broodless period of the honey bee colony. However, it will not kill mites that are in the capped cells. Api-bioxal is available as a syrup that can be trickled between two brood frames.
Api-Bioxal is an oxalic acid-based mite treatment that is approved for use in honey bee colonies. Api-Bioxal is registered with the USDA and EPA and can be applied by dribbling, spraying, or vaporization. It is EPA-approved and is a safe and effective treatment for varroa mites.
The chemical oxalic acid is a natural pesticide. It is widely available and safe for use in hives. It is also available in powder form for easy application. However, the VMD-approved Api-Bioxal is more expensive than bulk oxalic acid.
Api-bioxal can be applied to hives in sealed boxes. However, this treatment is only effective if the brood of the colony is removed before application. Since wax cappings prevent the acid from reaching the mites in the colonies, it is important to remove the brood immediately.
Api-Bioxal has been tested in a controlled study and shows good results in reducing the winter mortality of bee colonies. When applied properly, it is effective against varroa in cool climates and broodless conditions.
The traditional timing for applying winter treatments is between Christmas and New Year. This period is convenient for beekeepers because most beekeepers are on holiday at that time. However, many colonies will have already started brooding, making the treatment less effective. Also, mites can hide in brood and make it more difficult to apply winter treatments.
Apivar
While Apivar can be used to treat bee mites throughout the year, it is ideal for use in the spring and fall, after honey supers are removed. Apivar can help prevent winter bee deaths by reducing varroa mite numbers. This treatment is available in a 10 pack or 50 pack format.
Apivar is a mild pesticide that works by killing off all stages of the mite lifecycle. The treatment is safe for the bees and does not cause any residue in the hive. It can be applied to the entire hive and is very effective against phoretic mites. However, Apivar is ineffective against mites that are in the brood cell, so it should not be applied directly to the frame.
The best time to apply Apivar is early in the fall, as this reduces the number of mites that are still present in the winter. It also protects the winter bees from exposure to viruses. However, early August is not recommended if you have hives that live in heather, as it will interfere with the bees’ main honey crop.
Apivar can also be used on flow hives. The treatment comes in ten plastic strips and kills up to 99% of mites. However, this treatment should be applied to all hives with mites, since mites will move from one hive to another.
The recommended temperature range for using Apivar is 60 degrees Fahrenheit. It can kill the mites that are present in the hive, but not the varroa larvae. It should be used only by those with a valid NC pesticide applicator license.
Mite Away Quick Strips
Mite Away Quick Strips are an organic, biodegradable treatment that kills Varroa mites. The strips can be placed inside the brood box and should stay there for at least 7 days. The strips should be applied near the bottom of the brood box. They may also be applied to screened bottom boards. MiteAway Quick Strips are biodegradable and can be reapplied each year.
Mite Away Quick Strips can also be applied during the summer and early fall. The application should be timed to ensure temperatures between 50 and 85degF on the day of application. The product contains oxalic acid, which is most effective against phoretic mites and is safe for use after brood break. The mite treatment can kill 90 percent of the mite population.
This treatment is an organic compound that has been used for several decades as an organic miticide. Nevertheless, it is important to note that natural substances can have adverse effects if misused. In addition, oxalic acid vapors can be dangerous if inhaled. The best way to prevent bee mite infestations is to keep your bee colonies healthy. The use of essential oils can help bees fight varroa mites and promote good health in the colony. A number of essential oils are safe for bees and are absorbed through the skin.
Mite Away Quick Strips are an organic solution to bee mite infestations. These strips can be placed inside the brood nest for 45 days to eliminate the mites. However, you should not apply them during honey flow or cluster. You should only apply a strip for every five frames of brood. This treatment has been tested and found to be effective in killing 95 percent of the Varroa mites in a colony.
Telescoping top heater
A Telescoping top heater is an effective way to treat bee mites during the winter months. These devices slowly raise the temperature in the hive, which assists the bees in development and stops mite reproduction. However, these devices cannot replace thermosolar treatment, which kills the mites on the bees’ body.
Beekeepers need to treat their hives for mites twice a year, once in the spring and again in the winter. The first treatment is needed once the daytime temperature reaches 20 degrees Celsius. It is possible to start the treatment in the early morning, but it is best to wait until the afternoon high temperature to be sure it’s effective. The second treatment should be done when the bees are no longer mounting honey supers.
Before beginning treatment, remove the queen excluder from the hive and place the temperature sensor in the center of the brood chamber. Then, add about five kilograms of supplies, either in honey or sugar solution. The entry should face south or southeast. The treatment should start early in the morning and last for two to three hours. During this time, beekeepers must monitor the temperature of the treated hives and ensure that the hives are safe for the bees.
While bees may be able to keep their hives warm during the winter, the temperatures inside the hive should not be below fifty degrees. This temperature is not conducive to fly and the bees can hold onto the pollen for a long time.
In addition to the use of a Telescoping top heater, a thermosolar hive is another effective option. It works by changing sunlight into heat. Although this type of heater cannot be used in a normal hive, it can increase the temperature inside the colony by several degrees. It also reduces the number of hours that the colony is subjected to the cold.