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H29-05 · Module 5 of 7 · Pages: 20 · Worksheets: 5
Varroa and bee diseases without synthetics
Measuring varroa, cutting out drone brood, the broodless break, formic and oxalic acid and thymol with methods and protection, and the diseases you must report
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In short
- Measure varroa at least 4 times a year; treat according to the count, not "by feel".
- Summer: cut out drone brood in spring, then after the harvest formic acid, thymol or a broodless break.
- Winter: oxalic acid once, when the colony has no brood.
- Use authorised products (VMD in the UK, EPA in the US) and follow the label; treat with the supers off.
- Protection: acid-resistant gloves, goggles, a respirator with a filter, water for rinsing.
- Sunken, perforated cappings and a sticky mass in the cell: call the bee inspector at once. American foulbrood must be reported by law.
What's inside
Chapters
- How varroa destroys a colony
- Measuring infestation
- The year's plan
- Cutting out drone brood
- The broodless break
- Formic acid
- Oxalic acid
- Thymol
- Protective gear and safety
- Rules, records and withdrawal periods
- American foulbrood
- Other diseases and pests
- Common mistakes
- Printable checklist
Worksheets
- Varroa control calendar
- Mite count log
- Treatment record with withdrawal periods
- Treatment calculator
- Protective gear and suspected disease
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