Hello Gang,
 
Pussy Willows are blooming here in my neck of NH, but
the weather is bad. Rain, wind, more rain, temps. in the mid-40s.
So there won't be any bee flights today.
 
I found time to search the Archives for Wire Mesh Bottom Boards,
WMBB,and thought this would be a good time to challenge the group
to do some research into just how they work in various parts of
the world.
 
Letting the Varroa drop through the wire mesh sounds like a good
idea to me. Having been told that this will eliminate up to 15%
of the mites, I am willing to give it a try.
 
I use slatted racks in the winter and summer, but this year I want
to try to use the WMBB in the summer. If they are built to regular bottom board size, then a plastic Varroa screen ( sprayed with Pam ) could be put
underneath to count mite drop on occasion.
 
What size mesh to use?
 
Two ideas were submitted to the list: 1/4 inch mesh to aid in passage
of bees through the floor, and serve as a shaded clustering place on a
hot day.
 
and : 1/8 inch mesh to allow the bees to walk on the floor more easily
and still allow mites to drop through it.In both cases a coating of petroleum jelly on the wooden frame of the WMBB was suggested to keep energetic mites from possibly regaining entry to the hive.
 
So there you have it. What do you think? Long term Varroa control
may be incremental. Who is willing to give it a try? Keep good records
and report the findings here. Year 2000 could see an improvement in
Varroa control. I'd like to see FGMO worked into the research somehow too.
 
 
 
 
Grist Mill Apiary
 
Ernie Gregoire
 
Canaan, NH.USA
 
 
 
-------------------------------------
03/22/99 12:32:34