The right way to get rid of a varroa mite infestation naturally whereas preserving the security of the bees and integrity of the colony.
As a brand new beekeeper, I used to be horrified to just lately be taught of an rigid authorities coverage in Australia that’s mandating the burning of beehives with gasoline for potential varroa mite infestations.
That is the case even when the beehives present no proof of an outbreak.
“Combat the mite” is the federal government’s catchy rallying cry. What truly appears to be occurring, nevertheless, is a purposeful assault on a key side of Australia’s meals manufacturing.
Varroa mite outbreak in beehives is definitely a giant drawback. Nonetheless, infestations might be simply managed with out destruction of the hive itself. Extra on how to do that beneath.
Regardless of the power to naturally management varroa, authorities officers in Australia are taking the trail of least resistance…burn all of it down.
The heartbreaking video beneath posted by VastHarvestPermaculture is despicable in addition to deranged.
With actually no bodily proof, lots of of beehives are being burned with gasoline by the federal government.
That is the case even when beekeepers are capable of show they don’t seem to be infested with varroa.
Why that is being achieved to such a key a part of the meals chain is mystifying.
One has to think about the chance that injury to the meals provide is definitely the aim. Is varroa merely the excuse to deal a lethal blow to the home honey bee business?
VastHarvestPermaculture has many extra movies of this travesty unfolding in Australia.
The right way to Deal with Varroa Mite Naturally
As a brand new beekeeper, it was extraordinarily necessary that I understand how to take care of varroa.
My teacher from Gem Apiaries launched me to a unhazardous method to deal with and get rid of varroa mites with out hurt to the bees or the hive.
This product known as Apiguard and solely prices about $10 for a single therapy per hive.
The energetic ingredient in Apiguard is thymol, a phenol in thyme oil. It’s unhazardous and appropriate to be used in natural agriculture.
As soon as extracted from thyme oil, thymol presents as a white crystalline substance with a pleasing fragrant odor and highly effective antiseptic properties.
Apiguard combines thymol blended right into a slow-release gel that very successfully controls varroa mites in honeybee colonies.
The premade Apiguard trays are best to make use of for yard beekeepers.
Merely peel again the lid of 1 tray and place on high of the brood frames gel facet up as proven within the image on the high of the article.
Depart ample sufficient house on the high for the bees to get into the tray.
Shut the hive and depart the tray in place for two weeks.
Repeat with a second tray and depart in place for 2-4 weeks.
The good information is that beekeepers can apply Apiguard at any time of day or season.
Nonetheless, beekeepers can receive the perfect outcomes by treating colonies within the late afternoon or night when the temperature is decrease and the bees are inside or returning to the hive.
In abstract, controlling varroa is an easy course of that doesn’t must convey any hurt to the bees, the queen or the colony itself.
