Should We Medicate Our Hives?

Should We Medicate Our Hives?

In my opinion some of the treatments being given to the colony can be absorbed into the wax. Eventually, the toxicity level within the comb becomes alarming to both humans and the bees who must live and raise their young on such wax.

You'll have to make your own decision but weigh everything out carefully. By all means, PLEASE follow the label if you do choose to treat. Some applications are confusing, so be sure you use the treatments correctly. And, follow the labels regarding how long you have to wait after treatment before you can place honey supers on your hives. The label is the law.

Years ago I bought some honey from a beekeeper and thought I was getting pure honey. However, I found out that he was leaving harsh chemicals in his honey supers! If we are going to keep bees we must be responsible.

What About Mites?

In 2006 we battled mites and lost hives because of the mites.  We use a natural approach for mites and that is the powder sugar drop, green drone comb, screen bottom boards, breaking the queens brood cycle in late summer and soft treatments when necessary.  It is very important to use screen bottom boards on your hives. Mites fall through and find it hard to get back in. There are many treatments that beekeepers use to combat mites and many if not all of them have some effect upon the hive. However, there are several very effective treatments for mites today that I would recommend if levels rise above 3%. That's my personal threshold.