beekeeping - ipm strategies we use @ kiwimana
Post on 22-Oct-2014
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This is the presentation that we spoke about in March 2013 at the NZ Natural Beekeeping Conference. The full blog post is available here:- http://kiwimana.co.nz/nz-natural-beekeeping-conference-2013TRANSCRIPT
@ kiwimana HQ@ kiwimana HQ
http://kiwimana.co.nzhttp://kiwimana.co.nz
We are have been keeping bees for four years So we are still beginners, and learning more every
year. We write about our findings on our Blog (Web Site) We have also recently started audio show about
beekeeping (podcast) We sell beekeeping supplies through our online
shop
How do we keep bees???
Who are we?
Location
Sunny location all year around
At least 12 inches above the ground
Shelter from prevailing winds
Flight path away from People
Meshboards
What is a Meshboard?
Makes it easier to count mites
Provides ventilation all year around
Makes it easier to treat with vaporiser
By itself removes 10 to 20% of mites
Treat in Spring Treat in Autumn Treat when your mite count is high
We use Api Life Var (Thymol Based) and Vaporising with Oxalic Acid
Treatments
Managing Drones
Why do Mites like Drone Cells?
Drones have a longer gestation Period (24 Days)
Remove, when the brood has mites
Check every 24 days or when capped
Another way to check for mite levels
Select Bees that have low mite
counts Bees that build up well in Spring Bees that have a great nature,
angry bees are Neglected bees.
Good Genetics
Splitting Hives
The Varroa Breeding cycle is tied in with the bee breeding cycle
On average a mummy mite has two children every brood cycle
Increases your bee hives
Reduces the chances of Swarming
Recycling Combs
Old comb contains Pesticides
Contains Fecal Matter from pupas
Source of Infection and viruses
Why???
Recycling Combs
Mark the year you placed the frame in your hive
Replace combs every three years
Winter a great time to do this
Old Comb makes great candles
How???
IPM is the way forward The days of 99% kill rates are over By themselves these organic methods
won’t remove all the mites But combined you can control the mite
population to a level that your bees can live with.
In a perfect world the Bees and Mite would co-exist
Conclusion
Visit our web at http://kiwimana.co.nz Have a listen to our podcast “The
kiwimana Buzz” Sign up for our Newsletter (Its Free…)
Come and say Hello afterwards Further Questions Email me
Thanks for coming…