I have been using sucrocide vs smoke when I work the bees.
It seems to have a more calming effect than smoke - plus it helps control the mites.
Any reason not to do this?
thanks in advance
fred - florida 4 hives
The sucrocide bottle come with mixing proportions attached in a small pocket glued to the bottle. IT IS NOT A HARD CHEMICAL or so it says.
There is a recommended schedule to apply this concotion, it is not difficult, just tedious. The mixture should be lightly sprayed on all the bees on all the frames. Can be a challange doing highly populated hive, and, it was, when I did it.
As far as using the concoction as a bee calmer I dunno. Might be a good idea if you don't get carried away. Maybe sugar water does an effective job of dislodging mites and the bees enjoy a nice feast, eatin' off each others back.
So here's what you do. Go in your hive, with a screen bottom board and clean slide out tray, do the sugar spray and after 24 hours count the mites fallen on the board. Do the same with the Sucrocide. Then you come back and present YOUR findings to the class so we'll all know.