Since the strips stay in for a long period of time are there concerns that with this new product that mites will be able to build a resistance to OA . OA vaporization only stays in the hive for 48-72 hours the mites don’t have a chance to build resistance. For that reason OA has been extremely effective for many years. Are we giving the mites an opportunity to build resistance to OA now with the extended release strips ?
That is my concern as well. I've been very fine with a gram of vapor per brood box 12 years now. This seems to be the last thing we need and won't constant exposure weaken the chiton on the queen's body?
For our experiment we have 3 strips per brood box, which is slightly below the label recommendation - note we had a feeder in the top box, so that matches their 2.5 frames per strip label statement. We will keep you posted in if we see brood effects. Based on discussions with VitaBeeHealth, they believe that reducing the strips might still provide appropriate mite control, and they are investigating it, I believe. For now, it's best to stick to their 2.5 frames of bees per strip suggestion, as per their label: www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/094413-00003-20240819.pdf
The strips need to be removed between 42 and 56 days after first placement. Here is a link to the label on the EPA website: www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/094413-00003-20231201.pdf
The label suggests that they should be applied in spring, summer, and fall, so we should follow that guidance. We have worked with a similar product applied during winter, and we noticed that on some occasions that strips interfered with the winter cluster. Good excuse for us to do another trial in the winter with this product. Thanks for your question. Here is the label: www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/094413-00003-20240819.pdf
Incredibly relevant and timely study of this new product. Will be following this one closely. Thank you AU-BEES for all you do for Alabama beekeepers!
This needs a wider exposure
Not available in California,my Not?
Since the strips stay in for a long period of time are there concerns that with this new product that mites will be able to build a resistance to OA . OA vaporization only stays in the hive for 48-72 hours the mites don’t have a chance to build resistance. For that reason OA has been extremely effective for many years. Are we giving the mites an opportunity to build resistance to OA now with the extended release strips ?
That is my concern as well. I've been very fine with a gram of vapor per brood box 12 years now. This seems to be the last thing we need and won't constant exposure weaken the chiton on the queen's body?
4 strips seems like too much? Were you seeingbthe brood suffer? What made you see that it was too much OA?
For our experiment we have 3 strips per brood box, which is slightly below the label recommendation - note we had a feeder in the top box, so that matches their 2.5 frames per strip label statement. We will keep you posted in if we see brood effects. Based on discussions with VitaBeeHealth, they believe that reducing the strips might still provide appropriate mite control, and they are investigating it, I believe. For now, it's best to stick to their 2.5 frames of bees per strip suggestion, as per their label: www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/094413-00003-20240819.pdf
Do you just leave them or do u have to take them out after a number of days
The strips need to be removed between 42 and 56 days after first placement. Here is a link to the label on the EPA website: www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/094413-00003-20231201.pdf
can u put this in a hive for the winter
The label suggests that they should be applied in spring, summer, and fall, so we should follow that guidance. We have worked with a similar product applied during winter, and we noticed that on some occasions that strips interfered with the winter cluster. Good excuse for us to do another trial in the winter with this product. Thanks for your question. Here is the label: www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/094413-00003-20240819.pdf