On Fri, 7 Nov 1997, Jim Moore wrote:
 
>         I'm wondering if the physical structure os a top bar hive diminishes the
> effectiveness of Apistan strips due to reduced bee contact probabilities? Basically in a
> standard hive bees can crawl over the face of the combs to get to the honey storage
> areas and could come in contact with the strip. In a top bar hive the bee "must" crawl
> along the wall or floor and will not come in contact with a strip hanging in the brood
> area.
>
 
Jim, I haven't found it to be a problem; moreover, the ease of putting
Apistan strips in and removing them makes tbh's a joy...no supers or hive
bodies to wrestle.
 
I just go into the area where the brood nest should be, put my "shelf
bracket" hive tool in between the bars, and insert the strip.  It only
takes a moment.
 
In the summer when I work the bees and check on them, I'll take a paper
towel that has vegetable oil on it and hang it between the bars as a
trachel mite control measure.  By the time the bees have worked getting
the oiled paper out, they have passed oil around very nicely.
 
Does the oiled paper and Apistan work ok in tbh's??  I don't have any hard
evidence other than....I still have my bees. :)
 
Cordially yours,
 
Jim
 
James D. Satterfield           Canton is about 40 mi/64 km
258 Ridge Pine Drive           north of Atlanta, Georgia USA
Canton GA 30114 USA                  34.24N, 084.47W
(770) 479-4784
Top Bar Hive Beekeeping Website:
http://www.gsu.edu/~biojdsx/main.htm