🐝💗Our Backyard Beekeeping Journey!💗🐝

[5Australorpasaures]

4 gallons of 2:1 made today, want to do 8 more tomorrow. Will have to pick up 50 lbs more of sugar this wk end.

 

[Sally PB]

I have those too. The frames don't fit in them like I have them sitting in the Husky totes. The Costco ones are not wide enough.

Ah! I'll keep that in mind. Next time we go to Menards (almost never go to Home Depot), I'll see if they have some wide enough for frames.

 

[Sally PB]

@drstratton, Have a great trip!!!

 

[R2elk]

4 gallons of 2:1 made today, want to do 8 more tomorrow. Will have to pick up 50 lbs more of sugar this wk end.

The local Ridley's does case lot sales. A 25 lb. bag of sugar qualifies as a case lot. I buy it when it goes on sale. I believe that the last bag I bought was $11.00. I do have more than one spare bag.

 

[drstratton]

@drstratton, Have a great trip!!!

Thank you! We are at our destination. It feels good to relax!

 

[Apis mellifera]

Varroa Count

Are those mite washes or board count?

 

[drstratton]

Are those mite washes or board count?

Board count, after OAV. That's why I'm thinking I don't need to worry about it until we test? I'm glad that we've killed so many.

 

[Apis mellifera]

A per bee count is more accurate than a per hive count. You'll have a better idea of whats going on after mite washes.

 

[drstratton]

A per bee count is more accurate than a per hive count. You'll have a better idea of whats going on after mite washes.

That's what I was thinking. Thank you!

Quick question. When you do your mite wash, do you get your Bees from the open or capped brood frames? I've seen both and we did it both ways. I'm thinking open brood will give a better count. That's what we did on our 2nd test.

 

[Apis mellifera]

That's what I was thinking. Thank you!

Quick question. When you do your mite wash, do you get your Bees from the open or capped brood frames? I've seen both and we did it both ways. I'm thinking open brood will give a better count. That's what we did on our 2nd test.

Randy Oliver recommends taking a sample from a frame next to a frame of open brood. He says its a more accurate presentation of mites in the hive. It also decreases the chance of shaking out the queen. Thats the way I always take a sample and have had very good results when it comes to making treatment decisions. I like to see 4 or less mites in a wash.