This time of year between Christmas and new Year is the ideal time to carry out a “preventative” Varroa treatment using oxalic acid vaporisation because it is normally when there is the least amount of brood and the varroa are at their most vulnerable to this treatment.
I had big problems with Varroa in the autumn and had to do an extensive treatment with Oxalic Acid Vapour – which was successful and detailed in a previous post. Varroa count was down to a low level. My goal is not to have to treat my bees but until I am able to breed bees that are naturally resistant I have decided to use Oxalic Acid Vaporization as my main varroa control.
So I carried out my “preventative” treatment today. The weather has been generally mild and today was no exception, it poured yesterday, but today was mild with some sunshine and only a light wind made Ideal conditions.
Hopefully the bees will enter 2014 in great shape!
Treatment Update:
| Day No. | 24hr Varroa Drop |
|---|---|
| 1 | 22 |
| 2 | 26 |
| 3 | 14 |
| 4 | 7 |
| 5 | 3 |
| 6 | 6 |
| 7 | 2 |
| 8 | 3 |
| 9 | 1 |
| 10 | 1 |
| 11 | 1 |
| 12 | 1 |
| 13 | 0 |
| 14 | 0 |
| 15 | 0 |
