First use of Api Life VAR

Local question related to beekeeping in the Piedmont Triad area asked and answered here!

Moderators: Jacobs, Wally

Post Reply
sprayburn
Nursebee
Posts: 31
Joined: Sat Mar 28, 2009 6:35 am
Location: Greensboro, Lake Jeanette

First use of Api Life VAR

Post by sprayburn »

This is the first season we have had Varroa counts high enough to need treatment. Our apiary is located just north of lake Jeanette in Guilford Co. and has 4 hives. We installed the first treatment of Api Life VAR pads according to the package instructions, (Each pad cut in to quarters and placed in the corners of the brood boxes. That is one pad per brood box with two brood boxes per hive.)

I have tried to show pictures of what I am about to describe, but am not sure if the pics will work. What we see is severe bearding at both entrances (upper and lower). Is this normal?


http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af2 ... 164243.jpg
http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af2 ... 164150.jpg
Jacobs
Guard bee
Posts: 1888
Joined: Sat Feb 17, 2007 12:36 pm
Location: Greensboro, NC

Re: First use of Api Life VAR

Post by Jacobs »

I'm not sure how much you used per hive. My understanding is that there are 2 wafers per envelope. I haven't used it in the last 2 years, but when I did, I never put more than 1 wafer (1/2 of one pack) into a hive per application. The bees don't like the stuff, but I did not have the amount of bearding that your photos show. I did have bearding on some of the hives.
Wally
Guard bee
Posts: 1838
Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2005 2:35 pm
Location: Randleman

Re: First use of Api Life VAR

Post by Wally »

Mite-a-way will do that. I don't know about api-life.


http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,42736.0.html
mike91553
Guard bee
Posts: 164
Joined: Sun Mar 30, 2008 9:34 pm
Location: NW Alamance Co

Re: First use of Api Life VAR

Post by mike91553 »

The label says one section on top of the hive and repeat after 7-10 days for 3 treatments.

You used 2x the label rate. I would give them some extra ventilation asap.
Post Reply