OA treatment for newly caught swarms?

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reedyfork
Guard bee
Posts: 156
Joined: Sun Mar 31, 2019 6:09 am

OA treatment for newly caught swarms?

Post by reedyfork »

Is there any specific advice or guidance for treating a newly caught/trapped swarm with OA vaporization this time of year? The obvious goal would be to get a complete mite knockdown while the colony is 100% broodless and before honey supers go on, but I didn't want to do it too soon and disturb the new swarm or cause them to abscond. Is there a "magic" day after catching and hiving them to treat?
Wally
Guard bee
Posts: 1830
Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2005 2:35 pm
Location: Randleman

Re: OA treatment for newly caught swarms?

Post by Wally »

Can't answer your question, but put a queen excluder on the bottom board. Then I would blast them the first day I saw larvae, before any cells were capped.
mike91553
Guard bee
Posts: 164
Joined: Sun Mar 30, 2008 9:34 pm
Location: NW Alamance Co

Re: OA treatment for newly caught swarms?

Post by mike91553 »

I have done that as soon as I get them home before I place the box on its hive stand. For me too much trouble running extension cords and remembering to do it later. Have not seen any absconds because of this
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