Hello All
 
I am compiling a list of the benefits of varroa floors for my local
beekeeping association and to send it to the Irish monthly Beekeeping Magazine.
 
Being aware of these benefits may make it more attractive for beekeepers to
use such floors and to see them in a positive light. Since we really must
use them if we are serious about our beekeeping, IMO we should derive as
much benefit from them as possible, and use them as a window on the hive
especially when we cannot or should not open the hive.
 
I accessed the archives to try to learn as much as possible from them
although this did not yield very much.
 
I will chip in the little I have found out, maybe it can be added to and
corrected, and then when all the data is received, I will send a
'consolidated' post to the List.
 
These are the benefits as I see them.
 
1. During the winter, or at anytime, the number of frames occupied by the
bees can be seen by observing the debris on the insert, as the outlines of
the frames can be clearly seen. (This information alerted me the other day
to a hive which I subsequently discovered was bursting with bees, and
something needed to be done.)
 
2. Pieces of wax on the floor may indicate that the bees are uncapping cells
and thus are using stores.
 
3. Where medication is to be applied e.g. menthol or oil of wintergreen, it
can be placed in a suitable container and placed on the varroa insert
surrounded by thumb tacks or drawing pins. Thus the bees cannot tamper with
it or drown in it.
 
4. It is unecessary in spring to change the floor board of any hive equipped
with a varroa floor.
 
5. Entry of moisture into the hive via the floor can be clearly seen.
 
Some questions arise which may assist in eliciting additional information on
varroa floors.
 
I have noticed tiny little mites crawling around on the inserts. These
little fellas move quite rapidly. What are they, can they be a problem?.
 
Sometimes the debris is pale yellow and sometimes quite dark. Is this
dependent on the colour of the combs giving rise to the debris and can
anything be learned from that?.
 
Thanks for all input as always.
 
Sincerely
 
Tom Barrett
49 South Park
Foxrock
Dublin 18
Ireland
 
Hobbyist beekeeper
 
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