>My friend Randy Oliver in one of his articles noted some minor brood kill

> with a 50 gram dose of apigaurd (pictures in article). To me I would say
> was
> a sign the dose was correct but perhaps the temps were a bit high at time
> of
> application.
>

We used Apiguard last year, two doses about two weeks apart in late August
and Sept.  This kept the mites to manageable levels until an oxalic dribble
on Jan 1.  However, we did see a higher mite level than I'd like when the
bees went to almonds.

Some colonies we also gave a shot of Apiguard to in June--this appeared to
reduce later mite levels in late summer.

The major brood kill happened when we put 50g under lids in hot weather.
Now we use about 25g on an index card, between the brood chambers, toward
the back of the hive.  More for larger colonies, less for weaker.  We don't
notice appreciable brood kill.

This year we experienced more mite pressure--perhaps due to higher
humidity.  I'll be checking mite levels next week to see how effective the
Apiguard was.

To date, Apiguard is our favorite treatment, with oxalic dribble being
second. Apiguard is more expensive than oxalic, but considerably cheaper and
faster than Miteaway pads. Apiguard and Mitaway can be used effectively when
brood is present, whereas oxalic is best when colonies are broodless.  We've
got Mitaway on hand for fall cleanup if necessary.

The Apiguard label does not allow for use when honey supers are on, but we
have tested, and don't notice any thymol taste or smell in the honey.  I am
not promoting off-label use, but was curious.

Like Bob, I have yet to find bees that can go without any treatments in a
commercial California operation.  So I am trying to find the minimum, and
safest, treatments (in conjunction with management) that will allow me to
stay in business.

I certainly haven't given up on breeding, but am no longer trying to run the
whole operation as a Bond survival yard, as I would clearly go bankrupt.
However, I am running smaller survival yards with Russians, Zia, and other
"survivor" stock to see how they do.

Randy Oliver

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