Joy Dodson led the session this afternoon and supported eight keen beekeepers to check the varroa treatment on the hives. This season, we have been using Apivar Strips.
Joy says...
It should be noted that Apivar Strips is a chemical treatment and should NOT be used when honey is on. If a super is being left on for the bees for winter whilst undertaking the treatment, the contents should ONLY be consumed by the bees. The super should be taken off in the Spring, thoroughly cleaned and the wax from the frames melted and new foundation replaced before reusing.
Patience was the word of the day, as this is a long process (6 - 10 weeks) and rather fiddly too! Much concentration and a delicate touch was needed to lift the strips and then move them one frame forward. Don't forget to scrape the strip before reinserting - this releases the chemical treatment.
Joy says...
It should be noted that Apivar Strips is a chemical treatment and should NOT be used when honey is on. If a super is being left on for the bees for winter whilst undertaking the treatment, the contents should ONLY be consumed by the bees. The super should be taken off in the Spring, thoroughly cleaned and the wax from the frames melted and new foundation replaced before reusing.
Patience was the word of the day, as this is a long process (6 - 10 weeks) and rather fiddly too! Much concentration and a delicate touch was needed to lift the strips and then move them one frame forward. Don't forget to scrape the strip before reinserting - this releases the chemical treatment.
Our next task was feeding the bees for the Winter. It is important that the bees go into the Winter season with enough stores to see them through to the Spring.
Joy says...
Before feeding, heft the hive. Take off the roof and lift the hive from all four sides. The weight will give you an idea of where about the stores are without disturbing the colony. The hive should feel as if it is nailed down to the stand.
A heavy syrup was used to feed the colonies, as this will support the bees in using less energy to evaporate the water content before capping the cells.
If you are making your own syrup use 1kg of white sugar to 600ml of water.
Joy says...
Before feeding, heft the hive. Take off the roof and lift the hive from all four sides. The weight will give you an idea of where about the stores are without disturbing the colony. The hive should feel as if it is nailed down to the stand.
A heavy syrup was used to feed the colonies, as this will support the bees in using less energy to evaporate the water content before capping the cells.
If you are making your own syrup use 1kg of white sugar to 600ml of water.
We thank Joy for sharing her expertise with us.
Join us for the next Apiary Session on Sunday 1st December 2019 at 2pm, where Glynis will be demonstrating how to administer Oxalic Acid treatment.
Join us for the next Apiary Session on Sunday 1st December 2019 at 2pm, where Glynis will be demonstrating how to administer Oxalic Acid treatment.