Utilisation d'Apagard pour le traitement de l'acarien Varroa

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Round 2 of Apagard Treatment
3. The Importance of Treating Yards and Assessing Queen Health
4. The Genetics of the Bee Colonies in the Yard
5. Advantages of Re-Cleaning Colonies Every Year
6. The Characteristics of the Caucasian Carniolan Stock
7. The Impact of Pollen Flow on Colony Size
8. Preparing for Winter with Moderate Cluster Sizes
9. The Process of Apagard Treatment
10. Using Rim Sizes for Treatment Efficiency
11. Checking Mite Counts before Treatment
12. Conclusion

🐝 Round 2 of Apagard Treatment

In our beekeeping journey, we have now reached the stage of performing the second round of Apagard treatment in one of our yards. This yard has undergone a complete outfitting with Apagard, a different approach from the previous year's use of Apivar. The decision to switch treatments was based on the desire to try something new and see how our bee colonies respond. The process itself is not difficult, and we aim to complete this round efficiently. After the treatment, we will wait for about a week before performing mic checks to assess the mite levels. If any colonies still show a higher mite count, we will proceed with a third round. However, our hope is to achieve successful mite control with just two rounds.

💡 The Importance of Treating Yards and Assessing Queen Health

Beekeeping involves a multitude of tasks, including the regular treatment of our yards and the periodic assessment of queen health. It has been a while since we were last in this yard, mainly due to the challenges of adhering to our usual seven-day yard rotation schedule. The frequent rainfall in our area has made it difficult to stay on track. However, we believe in the significance of treating and maintaining healthy colonies. In this particular yard, the queens are mostly from the previous year, making them about one year old. These queens, known as the September queens, will still be suitable for the upcoming spring as they will be about a year and a half old by then.

🧬 The Genetics of the Bee Colonies in the Yard

One notable aspect of this yard is the genetic composition of its colonies. The majority of the queens are from the previous year, which gives us valuable genetics we intend to utilize in the spring for mating. Just beyond this yard, on the edge of the field, we have set up a new queen mating nuc yard. This summer, we initiated the generation process, and we will continue it next year as well. After using the desired genetics, our plan is to reclaim this yard sometime next year. Thus, we recognize the value of preserving these genetics for future breeding purposes.

Pros:

• Access to desirable genetics for future mating purposes
• Opportunity to develop unique traits in the bee colonies

🗝️ Advantages of Re-Cleaning Colonies Every Year

While the general recommendation is to re-clean every colony annually, we have made the decision not to reclaim this yard at the moment. The reason behind this deviation from our usual practice is the presence of the genetics we aim to utilize in the next spring for mating purposes. Our area does not require us to go into the winter with exceptionally large clusters or massive colonies. Instead, we prefer cluster sizes ranging from five to nine frames in these double deeps. This cluster size is sufficient for our needs and allows us to split the colonies on time next year.

Cons:

• Delay in the re-cleaning process, potentially affecting colony health

🐝 The Characteristics of the Caucasian Carniolan Stock

The bee colonies in this yard belong to the Caucasian Carniolan stock, and we have been striving to develop this particular genetic line. This year, we are proud to say that this yard has been one of our best in terms of the quality and performance of its bee colonies. These bees have proven to be fairly gentle, which is a desirable trait for beekeepers. Moreover, they have been able to produce massive colonies during the period of proper brood rearing. However, as they have now been in a diminished brood rate rearing mode for quite some time, their size has started to decrease. The spring pollen flow, which ceased around a month and a half ago, is no longer providing sufficient pollen stores for the colonies. Nonetheless, we anticipate the upcoming golden rod bloom, which will commence in about a week or two, to replenish the pollen sources and support the colonies as they prepare for winter.

Pros:

• Gentleness of the bees
• Ability to build large and prosperous colonies during brood rearing phase

🌸 The Impact of Pollen Flow on Colony Size

Observing the current status of our colonies in this yard, we have noticed a decreased presence of pollen. Due to the cessation of the spring pollen flow, many colonies have depleted their pollen stores. However, as the golden rod bloom is just around the corner, we expect the situation to improve soon. This forthcoming pollen source will aid in the recovery of our colonies' pollen reserves, ensuring their vitality for the winter season. Additionally, these pollen stores will contribute to the successful rearing of winter bees. As beekeepers, we strive to complete the Apagard treatment before the golden rod bloom, as this treatment has the potential to slow down or even halt the queen's egg-laying activities. This outcome suits our needs, as we prefer not to enter winter with excessively large colonies and extensive clusters.

Pros:

• Anticipation of the golden rod bloom, which will replenish pollen stores
• Formation of healthy winter bees for colony survival during winter

🌡️️️ Preparing for Winter with Moderate Cluster Sizes

As beekeepers, we have learned over time that entering winter with moderate cluster sizes is more advantageous for our specific circumstances. We no longer engage in migratory beekeeping, allowing us to remain stationed in the southern Appalachian Mountains throughout the year. Consequently, we do not require extensive clusters in the spring for early package production, nucleus hive formation, or pollination activities in other regions such as California. Instead, we aim to end the winter season with clusters ranging from five to nine frames in these double deeps. This cluster size provides satisfactory outcomes for our future plans and ensures that the colonies are ready for further splitting next year.

Pros:

• Adequate cluster sizes for individual circumstances and objectives
• Simplified management due to stationary beekeeping operation

🚜 The Process of Apagard Treatment

Now, let us delve into the process of Apagard treatment, which is the main focus of this video. As shown in the footage, one member of our team, Jesse, is responsible for squirting the Apagard gel onto the frames, while Jason takes care of feeding the bees. Our aim is to work efficiently and quickly through the yard, attending to each colony. To streamline the process, we have already marked the syringe to ensure the accurate measurement of the gel. In this case, we are applying approximately 50 grams of Apagard to the double deeps and 30 grams to the singles. It is crucial to remember the impact of weather conditions on the treatment. In hot temperatures, the bees can be adversely affected, and they may be driven out of the colony and even out of the yard. Therefore, we exercise caution and awareness while treating the colonies during warmer weather.

Pros:

• Streamlined and efficient process with designated roles
• Measurement marks for accurate application of Apagard
• Adaptation to weather conditions for the well-being of the colonies

🏞️ Using Rim Sizes for Treatment Efficiency

To further optimize the treatment process, we utilize rim sizes that correspond to our treatment needs. In this case, we are working with three-quarter-inch rims, although we have also started using one-inch rims lately. These rims serve dual purposes, as they are not only suitable for Apagard treatment but also for the placement of pollen patties during the spring. By standardizing the rim sizes, we can efficiently rotate between different types of treatments while ensuring their compatibility with our equipment.

Pros:

• Increased efficiency in treatment application
• Versatility of rim sizes for multiple treatment purposes

🐝 Checking Mite Counts before Treatment

Before proceeding with the Apagard treatment, it is essential to evaluate the mite levels in the colonies. We have devised a practical method using a Tupperware tub to carry all the necessary tools. With a half-cup measuring cup, which roughly holds 300 bees, we perform the mite wash. It is preferable to collect bees from open brood frames, as mite concentration is higher among nurse bees on these frames. The mites tend to position themselves near open brood cells, awaiting an opportunity to enter right before the cells are capped. Carefully shaking the bees off the open brood frames, we perform the mite wash to determine the mite count. The primary goal is to avoid shaking the queen inadvertently.

Pros:

• Effective method for assessing mite counts
• Preferential selection of nurse bees for accurate measurements

🧪 Conclusion

The second round of Apagard treatment in this yard marks another crucial step in our beekeeping journey. Our dedication to treating the colonies and assessing queen health has guided us throughout this process. With the presence of valuable genetics within the colonies, we have made the decision to postpone re-cleaning this yard. The Caucasian Carniolan stock has proven to be a worthy investment in terms of colony performance and gentleness. As the pollen flow decreases, we eagerly await the upcoming golden rod bloom, which will provide much-needed pollen stores for the colonies. Balancing cluster sizes for winter preparation aligns with our stationary beekeeping approach. Finally, the Apagard treatment process, coupled with the appropriate rim sizes, contributes to an efficient workflow. Before commencing the treatment, we diligently evaluate the mite counts to ensure effective control measures. Overall, our focus remains on maintaining healthy and thriving colonies.

Highlights:

• The second round of Apagard treatment in one of our yards
• The genetic composition of the colonies and their significance for future mating
• The performance and characteristics of the Caucasian Carniolan stock
• Anticipation of the golden rod bloom to replenish pollen stores
• Preparing for winter with moderate cluster sizes in stationary beekeeping
• The Apagard treatment process and its efficient implementation
• Evaluating mite counts to guide treatment decisions

FAQ:

Q: Why did you choose to switch from Apivar to Apagard for this year's treatment? A: We wanted to try something new and observe how the colonies would respond to Apagard.

Q: Will you reclaim this yard next year? A: Reclaiming the yard is currently postponed due to the desirable genetics present in the colonies. However, reclamation is planned for the future.

Q: How do you assess the health of the queens in the yard? A: We carefully go through each colony and perform a queen assessment, focusing on any signs of poor queen performance.

Q: What are the advantages of re-cleaning colonies every year? A: Re-cleaning allows for the removal of old comb and ensures the maintenance of healthy and disease-free colonies.

Q: How do you determine the appropriate cluster sizes for winter? A: We aim for moderate cluster sizes ranging from five to nine frames in these double deeps, which suit our specific beekeeping objectives.

Q: What is the significance of the golden rod bloom? A: The golden rod bloom provides a valuable source of pollen, which plays a crucial role in colony development and winter bee production.

Q: How do you ensure efficient treatment application? A: We standardized the rim sizes to enhance treatment efficiency and flexibility for both Apagard and pollen patty placement.

Q: What method do you use to assess mite counts? A: We utilize a half-cup measuring cup to collect bees from open brood frames and perform a mite wash to evaluate the mite levels.