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Subject: Orange County, NC Beekeepers

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  • From: Erika Wittchen <erika48 AT gmail.com>
  • To: ocba AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [ocba] varroa count and treatment question (Api Life Var)
  • Date: Tue, 21 Jul 2015 13:51:53 -0400

Hi all, was wondering if anyone has any advice for us re: varroa load and treatment options. 

Having just harvested our honey a few weeks ago, we did a powdered sugar test this weekend and found a mite count of 17 in one hive, and 1 in another.  From what I understand, 17 is on the threshold for treatment, correct?

We bought some Api Life Var tablets, but upon reading the instructions it advises that treatment above temperatures of 90F can be very stressful and might lead to absconding.  I also read that other hives should be treated simultaneously to prevent robbing. We have only one other hive, and it only had a mite count of 1.

Anyone have experience with this product?  Would it be better to treat now and risk the hive, or wait until when--it will likely be September before the daily highs are below 90. And if we do treat, do we treat both hives?

Other than the somewhat high mite count, the hive is doing really well in my opinion.
I'm interested in hearing what others think.

Thanks as always!
Erika



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