Worldwide Beekeeping

Beekeeping => Beekeeping 101 => Topic started by: tedh on March 18, 2024, 08:33:31 am

Title: Treating bees
Post by: tedh on March 18, 2024, 08:33:31 am

Hi, Everyone,
I was planning to treat the bees today for mites using OAV.  The high temp is only going to be 35°F so theyll be in cluster, i believe. Im concerned about disturbing their cluster.  What do you think? Treat today or put it off untill tomorrow when the temps will be mid 50's?  Because of my schedule today would be better for me, but.... thanks, Ted

Title: Treating bees
Post by: Zweefer on March 18, 2024, 08:46:52 am

Ted! How you been?!?!?

You will be fine. Although some literature states 37 as coldest, it is agreed anything above freezing will work with no drop off in effectiveness. That tells me those bees were most likely in cluster as well.

https://frankthebeeman.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/NJBA-volume-34-issue-2-pages-21-23-1.pdf


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Title: Re: Treating bees
Post by: Bakersdozen on March 18, 2024, 12:10:20 pm

honeybeehealthcoalition.org (http://honeybeehealthcoalition.org) has all the info you could ever want on varroa mites and how to treat for them.  This info is updated as new research and info becomes available. You can print this out for free if you want.

Title: Re: Treating bees
Post by: iddee on March 18, 2024, 06:23:26 pm

As the temp drops, bees begin to cluster at 55 F. They are in full cluster at 42 F.

Title: Re: Treating bees
Post by: tedh on March 19, 2024, 02:06:28 pm

Thanks Everyone! My thermometer read 34°F, the clouds rolled in, the wind picked up, and i changed plans. I just got done treating them and will have lunch with stepmom tomorrow. 

I've been lurking, in the shadows, watching...oh yes, watching....  thanks again, ted