TrisBee 8 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 After briefly looking around for info regarding the use of Varroa treatments with honey supers, many say Bayvarol is OK with honey on, Apistan definitely NOT ok. They are similar chemicals, no? I don't like eating honey with pyrethroids in it, but what about Apivar? Amitraz apparently breaks down very quickly in the hive due to the fact that it is readily hydrolysed. According to Apivar.co.nz, they say do NOT use with honey supers, but the MAF online guide to Varroa says it is OK to use. I am so confused right now. I need to know, because I feel I may have treated too early in the Spring (Aug) and the mite numbers have built up. My hives have both Varroa and honey. Thanks in advance 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Trevor Gillbanks 6,846 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 One thing is for sure Trisbee, you are not the only one confused and all the information you get will vary from beekeeper to beekeeper. If you are using it for yourself, no problem, however, most people will say that you can save it for winter feed for the bees. Link to post Share on other sites
phill-k 271 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 I say if you are over 50 who cares:cool: Link to post Share on other sites
TrisBee 8 Posted November 20, 2012 Author Share Posted November 20, 2012 What if I'm 22 :alien: Link to post Share on other sites
Otto 780 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Basic properties of these chemicals: Amitraz (Apivar) - is readily absorbed into honey but not into wax. This is why it is not recommended during a honey flow. Fluvalinate (Apistan) - very readily absorbed into wax. The reason it is not recommended during a honey flow is that the dose of fluvalinate in an Apistan strip is very high (from memory around 800mg per strip) Flumethrin (Bayvarol) is also very readily absorbed into wax. The dose is only 3.6mg per strip though so a treatment uses only around 1/100th of the chemical compared to Apistan. This is why it is the recommended emergency treatment if you have high mite numbers during a honeyflow. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Trevor Gillbanks 6,846 Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 Thanks for that Otto. But can he still use the honey for normal use. Link to post Share on other sites
TrisBee 8 Posted November 21, 2012 Author Share Posted November 21, 2012 So, you can eat honey taken from Amitraz treated hives? (provided it has had a couple of weeks to hydrolyse???) But thanks Otto. Talk to 10 beekeepers and get 12 opinions, right? 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Daley 4,351 Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 As far as I know, Bayvarol is the only one 'suitable' but I think that may be stretching it. I don't think a little bit will kill you, But its not good either. They test for it if you are selling it for export or whatever, and can't sell it if it is above accepted levels. And I'm pretty sure you're not allowed to do it for local market either, though I'm not sure how that's policed if you're going to jar it up and sell it yourself. I guess you gotta look after your bees first of all, so you might lose a little there. I would consider taking off what honey is already there and keeping it separate. can be a bit of a pain sometimes. maybe the honey will stop you getting bitten by mosquitos Link to post Share on other sites
Otto 780 Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 Thanks for that Otto. But can he still use the honey for normal use. So, you can eat honey taken from Amitraz treated hives? (provided it has had a couple of weeks to hydrolyse???) But thanks Otto. If you're selling honey play by the rules and don't have apivar in the hive when the honey flow is on. If it's for your own consumption it is completely up to you. From what I've read I think you'd have to be amazingly super sensitive to amitraz to be able to suffer any side effects from amitraz in honey as a result of having Apivar in a hive. But this is ONLY AN OPINION. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Kiwi Bee 589 Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 If is me than I'll take the honey supers off and put straight the formic acid pads on top of the frames(top box if 2 brood boxes) and treat for 24 hours. Also reducing the entry is not a good option now because is getting hot in the midday., but I'll block the bottom if mesh floor is used. After 24 hours the honey supers can go back on the hive. Apivar, apistan, bayvarol strips need weeks of treatment. Link to post Share on other sites
TrisBee 8 Posted November 21, 2012 Author Share Posted November 21, 2012 Maybe I'll try this one. Formic acid is corrosive and lethal to bees if overdosed though, right? Are there any commercially available products, or is it a DIY? Perhaps I need to consult beesource etc Link to post Share on other sites
Shaun 1,555 Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 Drone brood trapping of mites is completly chemical free and suitable for using during the honey season. It was discussed in another thread. NZBF: Interesting European ideas for Varroa control Link to post Share on other sites
Kiwi Bee 589 Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 Maybe I'll try this one. Formic acid is corrosive and lethal to bees if overdosed though, right? Are there any commercially available products, or is it a DIY? Perhaps I need to consult beesource etc We have specialists here on the forum regarding formic acid treatment. Check out their posts. Also formic acid is accepted world wide to be used in certified organic outfits. My first formic acid treatment ever was this spring and I'm happy as I tried it. Start here then you'll see : Using a Formic Acid Fumigator | NZ Beekeepers Forum Link to post Share on other sites
TrisBee 8 Posted November 21, 2012 Author Share Posted November 21, 2012 Thanks guys...I did do a little drone trapping, and now all my queens are mated (and I'm sure most of my neighbour's are too), I'll continue with that, and I'll be sure to check out Kiwi Bee's link when I have the time. Link to post Share on other sites
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