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Appreciation post: That local beekeeping forum completely changed how I treat mite loads
After 3 seasons of losses in the 30-40% range, I switched to the powdered sugar shake method those folks swear by and only lost 2 hives this winter, has anyone else had that big a turnaround from a simple change in inspection routine?
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the_adam1mo ago
Haven't you ever had a treatment work great for one season only to fail the next? I tried powdered sugar shake three years ago and had my best year ever, then the next season my mite counts actually went up because the shake wasn't getting enough off the capped brood. Those forum folks mean well but they're working with different climates and mite strains. I'm glad it worked for you this time, but I'd keep a bottle of oxalic acid on standby for when the powder stops cutting it.
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pat_coleman1mo ago
...and then the next season the mites just laughed at it... I had the exact same thing with screened bottom boards. First year they were magic, hives looked perfect. Second year I was pulling out frames full of deformed wings again. The powdered sugar trick works great until it doesn't, but man it feels amazing when it does work.
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