Swarm Mite Treatments

[2Sox]

What is the best mite treatment and best timing for newly collected swarms?

[Michael Bush]

My choice would be "none"...

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfoursimplesteps.htm

[2Sox]

My choice would be "none"...

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfoursimplesteps.htm

Michael,
I've read and studied your site and respect your knowledge a very great deal, but I tried not treating and I lost all sixteen of my colonies this past winter.  I said this in another post, It's like vaccinations: Either every bee colony in the world goes treatment free, sustains unspeakable losses and hopefully reaches balance with the invading pest. OR every colony in the world gets its "vaccinations" until the pest is a thing of the past.  I don't have another answer.  This loss had demoralized me, but I'm coming back.

[Michael Bush]

> but I tried not treating and I lost all sixteen of my colonies this past winter.

Are you on large cell foundation?  It was a hard winter for losses (there is another thread with the percentages) for everyone.  I never succeeded in keeping them alive with large cell foundation after Varroa showed up.

[sterling]

My choice would be "none"...

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfoursimplesteps.htm

Michael,
I've read and studied your site and respect your knowledge a very great deal, but I tried not treating and I lost all sixteen of my colonies this past winter.  I said this in another post, It's like vaccinations: Either every bee colony in the world goes treatment free, sustains unspeakable losses and hopefully reaches balance with the invading pest. OR every colony in the world gets its "vaccinations" until the pest is a thing of the past.  I don't have another answer.  This loss had demoralized me, but I'm coming back.

So the people who treat with chemicals do not loose hives. :?

[2Sox]

Are you on large cell foundation?  It was a hard winter for losses (there is another thread with the percentages) for everyone.  I never succeeded in keeping them alive with large cell foundation after Varroa showed up.

All foundationless.  Let the bees build what they will.  I've read some research on both sides of the cell size debate and from my knowledge the findings are all inconclusive.  Jennifer Berry has done a good deal of research on this. I don't put too much credence on small cell. It is my understanding the data is more anecdotal than scientific.   

[2Sox]

My choice would be "none"...

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfoursimplesteps.htm

Michael,
I've read and studied your site and respect your knowledge a very great deal, but I tried not treating and I lost all sixteen of my colonies this past winter.  I said this in another post, It's like vaccinations: Either every bee colony in the world goes treatment free, sustains unspeakable losses and hopefully reaches balance with the invading pest. OR every colony in the world gets its "vaccinations" until the pest is a thing of the past.  I don't have another answer.  This loss had demoralized me, but I'm coming back.

So the people who treat with chemicals do not loose hives. :?

That would be nice, wouldn't it?

[2Sox]

Michael,

Would you like to comment on my vaccination analogy?

[Michael Bush]

>So the people who treat with chemicals do not loose hives.

Of course they do.

>Would you like to comment on my vaccination analogy?

Insects are not people.  Propping up inadequate genetics is not good for the species.  It's probably not good for the human species either, but we have a different set of morals at work with people.  We are not purposefully breeding humans for health and productivity, we allow people their individual freedom to choose such things.

[Kathyp]

i am not opposed to mite treatment, but there is no reason to treat a swarm.  there is a natural brood break, so there is a natural break in the mite cycle.

whether or not you need to treat that colony later depends on what you find and your desires. 

but I tried not treating and I lost all sixteen of my colonies this past winter.

what makes you think it was mites?  may have been, but to lose all seems a bit odd.  what was your mite count before winter?

[2Sox]

>So the people who treat with chemicals do not loose hives.

Of course they do.

>Would you like to comment on my vaccination analogy?

Insects are not people.  Propping up inadequate genetics is not good for the species.  It's probably not good for the human species either, but we have a different set of morals at work with people.  We are not purposefully breeding humans for health and productivity, we allow people their individual freedom to choose such things.

Thank you, Michael.  Logical comments and interesting point of view. Obviously, there are many factors at play.  As I said, it was an analogy.

[2Sox]

i am not opposed to mite treatment, but there is no reason to treat a swarm.  there is a natural brood break, so there is a natural break in the mite cycle.

Thanks, Kathy.  Point well taken.