Hello All
 
This is my second year with bees, and one of my apiaries - 3 hives - has
been stricken with Acarine.
 
The fact came to light as the result of sending a sample of bees for
examination, as I became suspicious of one hive which was taking the feed at
a much lower rate than the others.
 
I was advised to try methyl salicylate which I did, although I was told
later that this is of value only in preventing mites gaining access to young
bees, and is of little use on the mites which have already infested the bees
(the situation at this time of the year).
 
An old experienced beekeeper told me that he has had no acarine for 12
years. He includes 5 drops of Thymol in each gallon of the Autumn feed and
claims that this is why he is clear of the mite. However, for me it is too
late for that treatment this year.
 
Another experienced beekeeper told me about 'Frow' mixture which he said is
a mixture of Gasoline, Benzine and Saffron Oil. This is said to be very
effective against acarine, but apparently it needs to be placed in the hives
when the cold weather arrives, as it causes temporary disorientation of the
bees, and renders them less able to defend themselves against robbers. He
gave me some of the Frow mixture which he says he has had for several years.
Can anyone give me the recipe for making up this mixture?.
 
My text books say that there is no recommended treatment for acarine.
 
As a hobbyist beekeeper, I hate to lose my bees to disease or predators. Why
do the text books tell us that there is no cure for the problem, and yet the
older beekeepers seem to have cures?. Is there some down side to these
treatments of which I am not aware?. I can understand the possible attitude
of commercial beekeepers which would probably say that the labour content of
treatment is not worth it, and could possibly be sustaining acarine prone bees.
 
What do the list members think?.
 
Sincerely
 
Tom Barrett
49 South Park
Foxrock
Dublin 18
Ireland
 
e mail [log in to unmask]
Tel + 353 1 289 5269
Fax + 353 1 289 9940
 
Latitude  53 Degrees 16' North
Longitude  6 Degrees  9' West of Greenwich