Still too much mite drop after 3 OA treatments

[Jen]

After 3 treatments, three weekends, I think there is still to many mites dropping. Now, I haven't seen any wigglers yet. So I think I'll watch for awhile and see if a wiggler pops up before I do a 4th treatment.

Also, in addition to my 3 OA treatments, I've finished my fumigilin treatment as well. I'm noticing these clear crystals on the sticky boards. They are the size of coarse salt.

Thanks for your input

[pistolpete]

the crystals could be oxalic acid, the OAV condenses and crystallises in the hive.  Most of it gets carried off by the bees, but some can end up down below.  They could also be sugar crystals. 

As for whether you have a large drop or not, depends on how many days that is.  This time of year the brood nest goes from 10 frames down to one (or none) and the mites have to hitch rides on bees instead of infesting cells.  This is a hazardous lifestyle for the mite and a much larger percentage end up falling down. 

[Jen]

Hiya Pete    And another thing as well, there are robbing screens still on my 3 hives, and the bees don't like carting those crystals up and over the screen.

I figured it was OA crystals, but haven't seen this before, just curious

[Gypsi]

you can always throw some imperial sugar in the blender and dust the bees with it. I use a paint brush and paint it on, one frame at a time, they take it off, mites go with it onto sticky board

[GLOCK]

I treated last year from OCT. to DEC. like 5 times and this year low mite counts.
I had mite drops worst then yours  . After treatment this past year was my best year to date.
 PRO OAV

[LazyBkpr]

OAV will continue to work for over a week after application.   Finish treatments then give it three or four weeks and check the drop..
   I have never seen crystals like that after treatment..  is it actually OA crystals? Maybe the vaporizor is not getting hot enough?  not sure, lost on this one....

[Lburou]

Jen, I admire your persistent, forward movement with your bees! 

If the OAV process is working properly, I don't see how those crystals would be tied to OAV in any way (JMO).  My guess on those crystals would be granulated honey.

You have a tattle tale board to count the mites.....Just wondering, how you insure there is no air leakage around that SBB during the OAV treatments?  Wigglers?  What are you looking for that wiggles in association with OAV?

[Lburou]

I treated last year from OCT. to DEC. like 5 times and this year low mite counts.
I had mite drops worst then yours  . After treatment this past year was my best year to date.
 PRO OAV

Glock, thanks for this report....I'd like to hear from you more often here on WWW Beekeeping.   

[robo]

My experience with OAV was that it left a fine "dry" powder like coating when applied properly.  Not sure of what your seeing,  but it looks wet to me.   

When I first used OAV, I had hives that I had written off as doomed because they where so mite loaded and it was late fall.   I did 3 treatments a week apart and they made it.   After that initial fall triple treatment, I found 1 spring treatment was all that was needed in subsequent years.

My thoughts are that if the OAV was done properly 3 treatments is sufficient.

[Jen]

SCOTT- "is it actually OA crystals? Maybe the vaporizor is not getting hot enough?  not sure, lost on this one....

    I do look for the vapors creeping out of the openings all the way up to the upper entrance. That is happening. And when I pull the applicator out no acid is left, but often two or three dead bees in the cup. And I usually have to scrap out the cup a bit of chard baked on black stuff before the next application.

GLOCK- "I treated last year from OCT. to DEC. like 5 times and this year low mite counts.

     That's good new to hear 

SCOTT- "OAV will continue to work for over a week after application.   Finish treatments then give it three or four weeks and check the drop..

      We're on the same page    cause like I said, I don't see any wigglers on the sticky boards. My thought is that the girls are busy cleaning each other and the house

LEE- "Just wondering, how you insure there is no air leakage around that SBB during the OAV treatments?  Wigglers?  What are you looking for that wiggles in association with OAV?

      Two of my hives have a drawer that I keep the sticky board in. When they are closed so is the air way from the screen bottom board. The other one I wrap a big beach towel around the base so it's all closed up during application. 

       Wigglers are live mites that have dropped onto the sticky board and their legs and antenna are wiggling. I usually still find wigglers after the first treatment, I check the sticky board about 3 days after the treatment. That tells me that there are stilll live mites in the hive. After treatment 2 and 3 I have yet to see any wigglers, just dead mites and the husks of mites.

ROBO- "My thoughts are that if the OAV was done properly 3 treatments is sufficient.

      I think it was done right, two level scoops in the cup, insert in entrance, block off large openings on the hive. Engage voltage. Wah Lah, dead mites, happy bees

[Ray4852]

So far this year I treated my hives 2 times with mite away pads, and 6 times with oxalic acid vapor. I still have mites but low mite count now. Two hives I have 3 deeps for brood. 4 hives 2 deeps. I use 3 scoops with the 3 deeps and two scoops with 2 deeps.

[LazyBkpr]

Sounds right Ray! Welcome to WWB forums!!

[Ray4852]

 That stuff you see on your mite board is not oxalic acid. Its sugar. I'm feeding two hives now with fondant. I'm seeing the same stuff on my board. My other hives are clean.

[Jen]

Thanks Ray  I'm still feeding with syrup, the bees are still taking it and I'm hoping they are storing it over the fumigilin that I put on about 2 weeks ago.

It's nice to have a new voice on the forum