Mite treatment

[tedh]

We are hoping to start OA vaporizer treatments the first weekend in April and I was wondering if this would be a problem if the bees were clustered.  My concern is disturbing/disrupting their cluster.  Any thoughts?  Thanks, Ted

[Perry]

Depends on how tightly clustered I suppose. If it is real cold and they are in a tight cluster it is probably not as effective. I would think anything above 40 f and the cluster wouldn't be that tight and it should work well.

[Bakersdozen]

Brushy Mountain suggests 50 degrees or higher.

[Wandering Man]

FOr what it's worth, I discovered that confining the bees inside the hive when the temp nears 100 makes them cranky.

Very cranky!

[tedh]

Awww Baker, now you went and ruined it!  Thanks for the heads up.

[LazyBkpr]

FOr what it's worth, I discovered that confining the bees inside the hive when the temp nears 100 makes them cranky.

Very cranky!

   LOL  stiff learning curve on that was there?   

   Once upon a time...  I read that treatments should be done in cluster when it was still cold. the crystals transfer readily into the cluster, and when in cluster there is little to no brood....
   having said that... I have never done it when it was cold..   Why?  BECAUSE ITS COLD!  I don't want to go out there when its cold!

[tedh]

Yeah yeah. Cold, I know. But I have a PLAN!  The real question is how badly will THE PLAN fizzle and burn?

[Wandering Man]

   LOL  stiff learning curve on that was there?   

Lots of learning took place that evening.

Let's just say this was when I learned what my response to a bee sting was.

Oh, this was also when I learned to check zippers.

And I think 3Reds learned that she's on her own when the bees get "cranky."

[CBT]

Now why wouldn't you take her by the hand and say RUN.

[LazyBkpr]

Now why wouldn't you take her by the hand and say RUN.

   hrm... With the wonderful woman I married, that used to be my exact response... however, over the years as I reached for her hand, only to see her laying on the ground laughing hysterically has taught me... JUST RUN

[Wandering Man]

Now why wouldn't you take her by the hand and say RUN.

3Reds was following me.  But she stopped to talk to the bee that had crawled inside her hood with her.  She convinced the (female) bee that I was the evil one, and so the bee just politely asked to be set free to continue her chase after the villain (me).  3Reds complied, and waited for the screaming and hollering to die down before she followed me into the house.

[LazyBkpr]

Now why wouldn't you take her by the hand and say RUN.

3Reds was following me.  But she stopped to talk to the bee that had crawled inside her hood with her.  She convinced the (female) bee that I was the evil one, and so the bee just politely asked to be set free to continue her chase after the villain (me).  3Reds complied, and waited for the screaming and hollering to die down before she followed me into the house.

   Ahhh, Okay, I feel better knowing I am not alone in the world. Thanks Wandering Man!