I begin by thanking all the members who sent us counts carried out on their colonies 10 days after the end of treatment. : you are more than thirty this year.
First observation; a globally significant parasite load is observed in view of the return of residual infestation, probably related to an early start of the 2020 season, if our bees are developing rapidly, varroa also and without intervention, the parasite load at the end of the season is high.
Second quick observation, the residual infestations observed are regularly more important when the treatments started after August 15/20. This makes sense when you consider that the varroa population can almost double every month by this time. There will therefore be even more varroa to eliminate if treatment begins later.
Below, an example of a visit organized in the Segréen, on the initiative of Jean pierre Thomain and Bernard Cochet. 4 other beekeepers were present. Three apiaries were visited and treated with Oxybee.
Explanations on the motivation of the treatment by taking again the counts provided by Bernard C. 10 days after the removal of the strips.
On 5 hives in two apiaries, the first and fifth showed drops to 13 and 17 varroa mites in 10 days. The other three 6, 8 and 4.
We were above the accepted standard that we set at 5 to 10 varroa mites in ten days after the treatment, without being alarmist, that justified the catching up. The treatment was started on August 31, the thongs
repositioned regularly until November 9 (withdrawal at 10 weeks). This residual infestation was somewhat expected.
We decided to manage all the hives (in two different apiaries) and to follow the falls after the treatment.
Other counts were carried out by Bernard C. following the application of oxybee.
As a reminder, following a treatment using oxalic acid, the trays are placed on the day of application and we start counting from the third day for 15 days (it is estimated that varroa mites can be affected during this period. ).
The following results are the result of 15 days of counting:
Beehive 1:90. Beehive 2:28. Beehive 3:23. Beehive 4: 6. Hive 5: 194
Current figures cite less than 50 varroa mites for a colony to restart the season with a better chance of development. We note the interest of the treatment and the correspondence with the falls observed before the treatment with Oxybee: interest of monitoring your colonies after the treatment.
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