Bruce Kemp wrote: > I'm new to the list. There seems to be quite a few of us. I have > been into bees for a year now and live in Virginia in the USA. I > understand there is quite a varroa mite problem here they carry a > virus that has wiped out most of the hives around here... > > So to summarize my questions: > > 1. Is the virus wide-spread? > 2. Do other things cause the virus besides varroa? > 3. What are patties? > 4. What to do about tracheal mites? > ... Ted Fischer responded: > 1) I don't believe that the question is settled as to whether or not > the varroa mites carry a virus or they themselves cause all the > destructive effects we're seeing in infested colonies... > > 2) Virus or not, these effects are seen only in varroa infested > colonies. > > 3) Patties are made of vegetable shortening and sugar, and were > originally made as a vehicle for the introduction of terramycin > into the colony for foulbrood prevention, since terramycin breaks > down easily except in the presence of fats. It was subsequently > noticed that tracheal mite populations were diminished in hives > containing these patties, and that the control patties without the > terramycin had the same value in limiting tracheal mites. > > 4) The easiest way to control tracheal mites, therefore, is to put > patties in the hive after the supers are removed. This will > control both foulbrood diseases as well as tracheal mites. The > mites are mainly a problem in the fall, when they build up and > adversely affect the winter bees. Putting patties in the hives at > this time of year is by far the best thing to do for tracheal > mites. Patties are commercially available (Terrapatties) or you > can make your own (a 3 lb can of shortening blended with 5 lbs of > sugar and a small packet of Terramycin (TM25)).... > > Ted Fischer Now, Aaron Morris adds way more than 2 cents worth, with apologies in advance to those who have read it already. At the risk of wasting bandwidth to repost recent information from this forum and sci.agriculture.bees, I'm posting the following excerpt from the May issue of the Southern Adirondack Beekeepers Association newsletter (which I author and shamelessly steal from both electronic forums information that may be of value to beekeepers who aren't connected). The points I want to get across are 1) mites as a vector in spreading viruses and 2) the possibility that grease patties (vegetable oil and sugar with no other medications) may be a deterrent to tracheal mites and such patties (with no other medications) may be an appropriate treatment throughout the honey producing season. Please note these are not my original ideas, speculation abounds, and the bee scientists readily admit that they too do not have definitive answers to the whys and wherefores behind these issues. As Rod Serling would say, "Submitted for your approval..." >-----------------< Dr. Cynthia Scott-Dupree Addresses Worcester County Beekeepers I had the pleasure of attending the April 13 meeting of the Worcester County Beekeepers Association where Dr. Cynthia Scott-Dupree of the University of Guelph in Ontario spoke about Canadian Beekeeping and mites as a vector in spreading viruses in bees. The "Canadian Beekeeping" presentation was very informative, but my main interest (and that of the more than 100 attend- ing beekeepers) was in hearing what Dr. Scott-Dupree had to say about the mites. The conundrum faced by bee researchers is that it's easy to blame bees' demise on V-mites or T- mites or both, but the truth of the matter is that although we know mites are here, scientists aren't sure what exactly is the cause of bee pathology based on the effect of the mites' presence. The focus of current research in on how the mites may act as vectors in spreading the approximately twenty identified bee viruses, which are hard to identify in the field and whose symptoms may appear as common infectious diseases, hence being easily misidentified. Studies done by Drs. Dupree and Brenda Ball (in the UK) have indicated that with the stock of bees tested in their studies, there ap- pears to be no correlation between tracheal mites and honeybee viruses. This is the good news, which could lead one to conclude that although tracheal mites are a problem not to be overlooked, the threat is not as nefarious as that posed by varroa mites, which did exhibit a significant cor- relation in the spread of chronic bee paralysis virus types one and two, hairless black bee virus, Kashmir bee virus, black queen cell virus and others. It is important to note that many of these viruses are present in a hive environment in all stages of bee development as non-damaging pathogens. However it is perhaps the manner in which varroa feed on honeybees that activates the viruses, helping them to flour- ish to the detriment of the colony population. In the meantime while scientists continue to search for an- swers and solutions to the mite problems we beekeepers need to manage our bees to reduce stressors as much as possible to help them remain healthy. This includes using approved medications such as Fumidil-B for nosema and Terramycin for foulbrood, and approved treatments to combat mites, which include grease patties, menthol and Apistan. Of course one must always follow the directions when using these treat- ments to avoid contaminating the honey to be harvested. In these mite infested times a beekeeper may have to forego some of the honey crop in order to treat their bees in con- formance with label instructions. The mites have made keep- ing bees a whole new ball game and new management techniques need to be developed to keep beekeepers from striking out. >-----------------< An article by Dr. Diana Sammataro of Ohio State University titled "Tracheal Mites Can Be Suppressed by Oil Patties" ap- peared in the April '96 issue of _American_Bee_Journal_ (Vol 136, No. 4). The gist of the article was that the continuous presence of vegetable oil based sugar patties within honeybee hives can be an effective way to keep tracheal mites in check. The sidebars (taken from pages 280 and 281) are included in this issue of the BeeLine. REMEMBER! NO TERRAMYCIN WHILE HONEY SUPERS ARE ON THE HIVE! In addition to the previous ABJ article, other methods of delivering the vegetable oil have been discussed on the internet. * From: John Iannuzzi <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Iannuzzi Method for Treating T-Mite 1. Since the appearance of tracheal mite, I've never used the recommended treatment of a 50-gram pack of menthol crystals applied about Sept. 1 when it is still warm enough to convert the stuff to gas. 2. Today I placed a paper towel saturated w/vegetable oil (any kind; cheaper the better) between the two deep brood chambers. Within a week the bees will have re- moved it. Especially noticeable if one runs pollen traps as I do, on seven of my strongest colonies (only have 12 now). 3. I also do this September 1st when I repeat the treatment a week later. 4. In talks w/my fellow beekeepers who use menthol, my sur- vival rate is as good as theirs. 5. Theory is that the oil makes mite transference between bees difficult. 6. I know that people use diluted formic acid for the same purpose even though it is said to be "not approved yet." C'est la vie. Suum cuique. Jack the Bman Ellicott City Md USA * From: Allen Dick <[log in to unmask]> I wonder about the paper towel method. Is this scientif- ically proven to do anything related to T-mites? It would logically seem that there would only be vegetable oil pres- ence in the hive for a short time using this procedure, un- less the oil goes into the wax, or something of that sort. I thought that Sammataro et al indicated that continued presence over time is the secret to measurable success with grease patties, at least. Perhaps I misunderstood. I would be interested to know if there is any data (measure- ment compared to controls) for rational evaluation of this towel recommendation or if this idea is yet unproven. Many of us have been getting along with no treatment for TM, so just simple colony survival with no controls or measure- ment of mite levels is no indication of efficacy. The mechanism of TM control using oils and grease is not well understood (AFAIK), so if this is scientifically proven, then measured and proven success with this technique would give some insight into the mechanism, perhaps. It would be nice to know that there is a proven alternate method to putting grease patties on, but is there? Regards W. Allen Dick, Beekeeper RR#1, Swalwell, Alberta Canada T0M 1Y0 * From: Franklin Humphrey Sr. <[log in to unmask]> FYI, Dr. Delaplane has been testing this method of summer control of T-mites for about 3 years. He has advised beekeepers in Georgia that is a very effective method when bees cannot be treated with menthol. It is thought that removal of the vegetable oil from the hive creates greasy bees. This in turn hinder the migration of the mature mites from the older bees to the younger bees. The patties can be in the form of Crisco or other solid veg- etable oils placed directly on a paper towel or can be patties without the terramycin. Some people say that the paper towel method is better and others like the patty method. Personally I make my patties only about half a pound in size and put them between waxed paper. When I put them in the hive, I tear holes in the paper so that the bees can get at it. The waxed paper keeps it together so that the patty can be moved out of the way to manipulate the hive. As far as I know there are no official papers written about this method. It is something that is being tried by numer- ous beekeepers in Georgia and Tennessee and seems to be an effective method of slowing the spread of V-mites during production periods when the bees cannot be medicated. Frank Humphrey * From: Allen Dick <[log in to unmask]> I appreciate Frank taking the time to explain what he knows and what he has heard for our benefit. A lot of beekeepers do things under mistaken assumptions or from misunderstand- ing research results or directions, but I think it's reason- able to ask for evidence before believing what one is told -- especially if new information does not agree with what one has heard before. This is a particularly intriguing matter that affects many thousands of dollars in cost -- either of treatment -- or losses if it doesn't work, so please excuse any scepticism. Non-sceptical beekeepers tend to lose their bees sooner or later. Since the original discussion started, I have received some private email from several researchers indicating that they believe these techniques merit some investigation. One says that the trial he did resulted in no significant benefit compared to controls, but he soaked cardboard in salad oil, not towels. (Maybe it's the towel that does the trick, not the oil) And the trial was in July -- not the best time. There is some speculation about the mechanisms that are in- volved with the grease treatments. However, I do not be- lieve that anyone has *proven* how it works -- only that it does, and that the effects seem independent of the brand or source of vegetable oil. One particularly interesting the- ory is that the breakdown of oil (rancidity) produces a chemical much like a pheremone that the mite uses to detect young bees. Of course a SWAG might just say that the grease just makes it harder to climb into a trachea. Now what is not clear here is whether you mix sugar into the patties or just slice off some Crisco. I've wondered why that wouldn't work, but have not heard of it being done, and tested against controls. I've wondered about spraying the bees lightly with salad oil, and I've heard of oil fogging, and other things too. BUT no matter how nifty these ideas are, I for one, need someone to try them against controls to decide I should rely on them. A lack of scientific measure- ments is unfortunate. Perhaps that will be remedied soon. Hard facts save cold cash. Regards, Allen