Deformed Wing Syndrome?

[brooksbeefarm]

I have read it is a disease of it's own and others say it's caused by mites? Other than treat for mites, is there another cure for it like requeen or let it run it's course? I see it quite often in the summer but seems to go away? Jack

[LazyBkpr]

I have only noticed this in heavily mite infested colonies, and in fact have told others that they had a LOT of mites when I saw crawlers on or under their entrances..  a treatment proved the statement correct.   I have never seen a crawler in my hives, not that there has never been any, but I think, it is only problematic when there is an overload of mites damaging the capped brood.

[Perry]

I believe it is a disease of its own, but is transmitted by varroa and is therefore most often associated as such.

[brooksbeefarm]

Crawling bees outside of the hive is a sign of Tracheal mites, we don't see that much anymore? But i'm seeing more and more of the DWS. Like perry, i think it's a disease of it's own, but is there other treatments for it other than treat for varroa mites?

[Jen]

I first saw it in my hive last fall. I saw the crawling bees on the ground, under the entrance of my hive. They crawl wobbley. I used Formic Acid Quik Strips, and the problem has not been back. Had a 2,000 mite kill. Oxalic Acid won't work in this case cause you have to get the mites out of the capped brood/drones. Oxalic Acid doesn't reach that deep.

[robo]

I believe it is a disease of its own, but is transmitted by varroa and is therefore most often associated as such.

I have seen it in small numbers where varroa was not an issue.   I think it is often associated with varroa because a heavily infested varroa hive is very weak and susceptible to disease.

[Slowmodem]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_diseases_of_the_honey_bee#Deformed_wing_virus

[LazyBkpr]

As I understand it the Varroa is the medium by which it is transferred..  Which would relate to seeing it more when the infestation was high.. Please correct this is if wrong.


 Never mind, just read slows link;

Deformed wing virus (DWV) is the causative agent of the wing deformities and other body malformations typically seen in honeybee colonies that are heavily infested with the parasitic mite Varroa destructor

 The deformities are produced almost exclusively due to DWV transmission by V. destructor when it parasitizes pupae

 

[Jen]

Yuk Yuk Yuk Just give me the chills! Me and oxalic acid have a very close bond 

[Yankee11]

Jen, do you use the vaporizer with the oxalic acid?

[Jen]

Yes! it's worth the investment, so easy and effective.

[Yankee11]

Just ordered one. 

Can you buy the acid locally or do I need to order that online as well?

[Jen]

Yay! You will not regret it. You can order 1 lb on Amazon if you want. And you can go to hardware stores as well. You just have to make sure that it is Pure OA. Not wood bleach.

did you get a Varrox or a Heilyser? I got a Heilyser   

[Yankee11]

Heilyser.

I'll call a few hardware stores and see if they carry it.

[LazyBkpr]

In recent reading I see that 99.6% pure or better is recommended.  I usually order mine through Amazon. I haven't found wood bleach in any stores yet to check the purity. Have looked in the local hardware store, ACE, and Wal Mart.

[iddee]

Lowes has it here.

[Yankee11]

Lowes carries the acid?