NZBF: Thyme oil - varroa mite

[vinflobie]

Does anyone recommend using thyme oil mixed with coconut oil to treat verroa? I stumbled across a you tube video from Russia demonstrating
how this is used. (

) They had catch boards underneath the frames so could check the effectiveness of it, and it seemed to work. Could you use it in conjunction with the apivar strips?

 

[Mummzie]

Can I suggest you get a copy of "Control of Varroa- a Guide for New Zealand beekeepers" by Mark Goodwin & Michelle Taylor.

Document: - Control of Varroa: A Guide for New Zealand Beekeepers

Control of Varroa: A Guide for New Zealand Beekeepers has been published by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry as part of its on going assistance to the New Zealand beekeeping industry following the recent discovery of this important new...

forum.nzbees.net

It will give good information and reasons for the choices of treatments that have become mainstream for many New Zealand beekeepers.
Its best to seek advice from places with the same environmental conditions.

 

[vinflobie]

Can I suggest you get a copy of "Control of Varroa- a Guide for New Zealand beekeepers" by Mark Goodwin & Michelle Taylor.

Document: - Control of Varroa: A Guide for New Zealand Beekeepers

Control of Varroa: A Guide for New Zealand Beekeepers has been published by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry as part of its on going assistance to the New Zealand beekeeping industry following the recent discovery of this important new...

forum.nzbees.net

It will give good information and reasons for the choices of treatments that have become mainstream for many New Zealand beekeepers.
Its best to seek advice from places with the same environmental conditions.

Ok thank you.......I will do.

 

[Josh]

I wonder when a more contemporary resource on varroa will be available. That guide was written in 2001 just after varroa became apparent in Auckland

 

[tommy dave]

I would stay away from experimenting with unusual varroa treatments unless you're

1. Prepared to have hives die; and
2. Experienced in keeping hives alive over at least a couple of years using commonly used varroa control approaches

In terms of use in conjunction with a method that is known to work (such as apivar), there isn't any reason to do so unless you're doing a multi.hive comparison trial, half with combination treatment, half with apivar only

 

[vinflobie]

I would stay away from experimenting with unusual varroa treatments unless you're

1. Prepared to have hives die; and
2. Experienced in keeping hives alive over at least a couple of years using commonly used varroa control approaches

In terms of use in conjunction with a method that is known to work (such as apivar), there isn't any reason to do so unless you're doing a multi.hive comparison trial, half with combination treatment, half with apivar only

Ok makes sense......I was just curious as to whether anyone had experimented with it. As I've only got one hive I'll just stick with the norm.

 

[Grant]

You can lead the way when you get to your 3rd year. By then it will give some others time to comment, or you may even sow a seed.
Ideally you'd want a treated hive a traditionally treated hive and a control hive for your study anyway

 

[vinflobie]

You can lead the way when you get to your 3rd year. By then it will give some others time to comment, or you may even sow a seed.
Ideally you'd want a treated hive a traditionally treated hive and a control hive for your study anyway

Ok thanks Grant.......I'll leave that trial to the experts.......and not a beginner 😅

 

[tristan]

Does anyone recommend using thyme oil mixed with coconut oil to treat verroa?

no, there is a few good thyme based products on the market without having to go make your own.

You can lead the way when you get to your 3rd year.

5 years is a lot more realistic.

 

[Wknz]

Does anyone recommend using thyme oil mixed with coconut oil to treat verroa? I stumbled across a you tube video from Russia demonstrating
how this is used. (

) They had catch boards underneath the frames so could check the effectiveness of it, and it seemed to work. Could you use it in conjunction with the apivar strips?

I agree with the folks above that the tried and true is a good philosophy to follow but ALSO adding thyme etc, as long as it doesnt hurt the bees, may help . If you have several hives additionally adding thyme to one and seeing if it makes a diifference could be good research.

 

[tristan]

If you have several hives additionally adding thyme to one and seeing if it makes a diifference could be good research.

but its a case of reinventing the wheel, so why bother.
plenty of info around including commercial products.

 

[vinflobie]

but its a case of reinventing the wheel, so why bother.
plenty of info around including commercial products.

What appeals to me is that the thyme oil would be an organic treatment that wouldn't harm the bees or people, if used correctly. I'm concerned that some of these commercial verroa treatments are the opposite, and then I worry would there be any residue in the honey. As I've only just removed 10 full frames of comb (my first ever) , I am getting it tested for tutin, glyphosate and also a pollen count....just curious....but I forgot to tick the box for the verroa treatment residue. Next time..... 😅

 

[Grant]

I think it's definitely a good idea to have aspirations of trying something that fits well with your ethos. The best advice is to get used to keeping bees first. Do a season or two in as standard a way as possible while you learn, then start adding in variables related to different practices.

Many people end up losing the hive while experimenting as soon as they get into the hobby, then have no idea what caused the losses because there are so many variables involved was it them, their treatment, the queen, starvation, disease, stress, weather, lack of swarm control

 

[Sailabee]

As I've only just removed 10 full frames of comb (my first ever) , I am getting it tested for tutin, glyphosate and also a pollen count....just curious....but I forgot to tick the box for the verroa treatment residue. Next time..... 😅

Are you aware that when getting the comb honey tested for tutin, you must stipulate it is being used for comb honey, as they adjust the allowable levels.

 

[tristan]

What appeals to me is that the thyme oil would be an organic treatment that wouldn't harm the bees or people, if used correctly. I'm concerned that some of these commercial verroa treatments are the opposite, and then I worry would there be any residue in the honey.

it harms bees and people. if it didn't it wouldn't kill mites.
it also will put residue in honey if you don't use it correctly.
its nothing new, its been done for many many years.

unfortunately its rather common for people to go into beekeeping with preconceived ideas that are not realistic.
most of them usually kill their hives. they end up with a box in the garden and stories of how the "used to be a beekeeper".
sorry if thats harsh but the goal is beekeeping not "treating hives with ............".
start with beekeeping first, move on to the fancy stuff later.

 

[Sailabee]

Even the commercially produced Thyme treatments cause the bees to bail out of the hive as it makes it stink, and bees have a very strong sense of smell, and the ambient temperature has to be right or else it is even more useless. Personally, I don't know of a hobbyist - experienced or not who has has success with the manufactured treatment.

 

[vinflobie]

Are you aware that when getting the comb honey tested for tutin, you must stipulate it is being used for comb honey, as they adjust the allowable levels.

Sorry, I didn't mean comb honey........just honey which is being processed and put into jars.....almost 17kgs and a very light coloured honey.....wouldn't know the first thing about comb honey production but I've read it can be dangerous if removed after 31 Dec.

 

[vinflobie]

it harms bees and people. if it didn't it wouldn't kill mites.
it also will put residue in honey if you don't use it correctly.
its nothing new, its been done for many many years.

unfortunately its rather common for people to go into beekeeping with preconceived ideas that are not realistic.
most of them usually kill their hives. they end up with a box in the garden and stories of how the "used to be a beekeeper".
sorry if thats harsh but the goal is beekeeping not "treating hives with ............".
start with beekeeping first, move on to the fancy stuff later.

Good advice.......yes I recently heard of a chap who had 48 hives up towards Pakiri who lost the lot due to using a new herbal verroa treatment.....The owner of the hives wasn't involved in their keep, but he employed a beekeeper to look after them and it all turned into
a big disaster unfortunately.......

 

[tristan]

Even the commercially produced Thyme treatments cause the bees to bail out of the hive as it makes it stink, and bees have a very strong sense of smell, and the ambient temperature has to be right or else it is even more useless. Personally, I don't know of a hobbyist - experienced or not who has has success with the manufactured treatment.

we ran a trail site for a few years.
yes it works. it can be successful but like most, if not all, of the alternative treatments is its variable in effectiveness. doing mite counts is critical.

 

[giseleray68]

Hello everyone !
I find myself in the same situation as you. I was disappointed by the effectiveness of a product anti-varroa that I used previously. Therefore, I prefer to turn to natural treatments, if possible.

I would like to know your experiences and recommendations regarding natural treatments to fight varroa mites. If any of you have used such methods before and had good results, I would love to hear more.

Thank you in advance for your precious help !

Cordially,
Gisele