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Subject: Orange County, NC Beekeepers

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  • From: Marty Hanks <marty AT justbeenc.com>
  • To: NaturalBeesinNC AT yahoogroups.com, Orange County Bees <ocba AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [ocba] swarm treatment suggestion
  • Date: Sun, 7 Apr 2013 18:30:04 -0400

Hey Gang,

Since its swarm season and there are many more new-bees in our groups. i just wanted to remind/share a great tip with folks.

After catching your swarm and then putting ice on that elbow from patting yourself on the back remember to give them a couple days to settle in. Then what "I" do is (and suggest you consider) to powder sugar them! Since they are new to that new hive and there isn't any capped cells you will have ALL your Varroa exposed! A little over a week ago i got a large swarm...great, but i also inherited a varroa issue. I did a cup of powered sugar for the 10 frames and after 30 mins i pulled the bottom board out to find almost 60 varroa!

Today i went back in and did it again, but only found 2!!  Now that is a great way to start off a new hive. I use powered sugar as one of my main treatment methods. Plus it gives the bees a little food as well. This post-swarm treatment has both benefits for the bees plus you are less likely to scare them off this way than using a chemical treatment. I also suggest/advise a late afternoon time frame to do so on swarms. Treatment and food...win win.

Hope you all are off to a good start to a new bee season! My tulip poplars are putting out leaves...in a week or two i'll have to add honey supers! Great time of year for sure.

cheers,
marty



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