Mite count on sticky board (post-OAV)
Mite count on sticky board (post-OAV)
Three days post-OAV, I had a total of 85 and 150 varroa on my two sticky boards. This is the first time I've done this, so no idea how to relate these numbers... Any data out there on what to think about these numbers?
Re: Mite count on sticky board (post-OAV)
I have not run across anything discussing the implications of post OAV mite drop counts done during periods of low brood.
Any kill of any varroa is a good thing. The numbers you posted would be frightening if they represented the standard 3 day sticky board divided by 3 for your 24 hour drop. This is because the standard sticky board reading gives an estimate of a much larger live population of mites in the hive.
If this represents the killing of 90-95% of the mites in your hive, it is a good start to the coming year. Hopefully your healthy population of bees is large enough that your queen will be free to expand egg laying and produce a growing, healthy population as daylight expands.
Any kill of any varroa is a good thing. The numbers you posted would be frightening if they represented the standard 3 day sticky board divided by 3 for your 24 hour drop. This is because the standard sticky board reading gives an estimate of a much larger live population of mites in the hive.
If this represents the killing of 90-95% of the mites in your hive, it is a good start to the coming year. Hopefully your healthy population of bees is large enough that your queen will be free to expand egg laying and produce a growing, healthy population as daylight expands.