From: "James W. Hock" " I've received several e-mail off BEE-L about sugar
rolls and using 10x
> powdered sugar as an alternate vorroa mite treatment. .....  The
> object is to cover the bees to make the mites release. .....For a few
> hives, a simply bulb duster should work fine, a couple of puffs of
> the bottom board, a few heavy puffs under the inner cover.  ...  For
> several to hundreds of hives (or
> thousands) there are larger dusters and power dusters available that would
> better suited to the job."

I am sorry there were no comments ON list.  Quoting the NZ 'Control of
Varroa' page 50 'sugar dusting has been researched in Finland and shown to
knock down 47 -56 as many mites as fell naturally.  15gms of super-fine
sugar was dusted between combs in 2-storey hives. Best results with repeats
every 2 days - can be used at any time of year'.  It does not seem to be a
sole means of control, but if it knocks down mites without risks to bees ,
then why not dust every time the hive is opened for other reasons?  It would
only take a minute.  Could support biotech methods such as brood removal.

James is bringing his experience with simple bulb dusters to our attention.
Thank you.  Please do report results next year.

Robin Dartington

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and  other info ---
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::