NewsSteps to control varroa mites should now be well under way or completed. It is important to check the mite drop after treatment, since Apiguard is not as effective as Apistan, and is very temperature-sensitive. In the relatively cool weather we have had recently, the top of the hive should be kept as warm as possible. A solid crownboard is important, we do not want the warm thymol-laden air to escape via the roof. It is a good idea to to put bubble-wrap or similar insulation between the crownboard and roof.There is some argument about the optimum space above the tin of Apiguard. Too little will slow the evaporation (or more properly sublimation) of thymol, and too much will increase the heat loss through the larger wall area. An ideal solution is to use a polystyrene hive super if you have one. If the varroa drop after treatment is more than one a week or so, then an oxalic or formic acid application should be made when the hive is broodless , usually mid-December-January. There are no hard and fast rules about the timing, which is both weather- and bee-dependent. The division apiary hives will be treated some time around late December/early January depending on the weather. Any member wishing to attend should contact the secretary so that they may be told at short notice of the date and time.
All hives should by now be protected against mice, by reducing the entrance height to less than 8mm. or fitting a mouseguard. Mice have very shallow skulls, and even the fattest ones can squeeze through low doorways! When a woodpecker sees a beehive, what it sees is a hollow log full of insects. Green woodpeckers especially can get into an unprotected hive in minutes, they make their own doorway. Wrapping the hive with wire mesh such as chicken wire, or hanging plastic sacks loosely round the hive will stop them getting a foothold.
If there are badgers around, a heavy weight on the roof might prevent them from tipping the hive over, as has happened to at least one of our members. Large animals such as cows can also be a problem if they have access to the hives.
