Worldwide Beekeeping

Beekeeping => Pests and Diseases => Topic started by: Bakersdozen on August 29, 2016, 04:49:06 pm

Title: Of all the nerve...how bold.
Post by: Bakersdozen on August 29, 2016, 04:49:06 pm
While preparing for my first Oxalic Acid vapor treatment for varroa, I found 3 (probably more visibly lurking around) varroa hanging out on the top of the inner cover.  Oh, yes they were alive and well.... but not for long!
 
(https://s18.postimg.cc/xex1czjf9/20160829_133809_resized.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/xex1czjf9/)

That's my hive tool laying there to kind of point to the mite and to give new beeks a perspective regarding size.
I would be curious if this is normal behavior or a varroa mite. 
Title: Re: Of all the nerve...how bold.
Post by: Jen on August 30, 2016, 12:28:11 am
Good pic there for newbees Baker. I'm getting ready to start a round of OA myself.
Title: Re: Of all the nerve...how bold.
Post by: Bakersdozen on August 30, 2016, 08:24:05 am
Typo: Normal behavior of a varroa mite?
Title: Re: Of all the nerve...how bold.
Post by: Green bee on August 30, 2016, 12:28:25 pm
As my eyes get worse the older I get, I hope I can spot those tiny things! :o
Title: Re: Of all the nerve...how bold.
Post by: Jen on August 30, 2016, 01:20:51 pm
Hi GBee :) Get yourself a magnifying glass of sorts, that's how I learned what the little B*%#$%@'s look like, how they wiggle and how they crawl. But I have sticky boards under my screen bottom boards, so I can take that sticky board into our shop with good overhead lighting and with my magnifying glass I can see them just fine. I have vision trouble as well.

Baker - I have yet to see mites on the under side of my hive lids. My first thought is that that hive must have a truck load of mites in it. That's the only reasoning I can think of at this time.
Title: Re: Of all the nerve...how bold.
Post by: Bakersdozen on August 30, 2016, 09:23:11 pm
Jen- my thoughts exactly. 
A 2-3 % mite load this time of year, warrants treatment of some type.  3 on the  top of the inner cover is 1% right there!