Fatbeeman demonstrates Natural Mite Control with fogger

Don Kuchenmeister demonstrates controlling mites in beehives with mineral oil and an insect fogger.

[@allen53100]

I've had bee's since 1981, But I Have learned more from the "Fat Bee Man" than any book I have read. Keep up the good work Don.....

[@fmazna]

Thanks A bunch for all you videos, I am a new beekeeper in Washington and this has been a big help getting started.

[@KreativeKP]

Thank you so much for demonstrating this method. I'm planning a second application today. This is my first year, and I am strictly sugar sifting, fogging, using screened bottom boards and when I feed I add essential oils. Crossing my fingers this is all the varroa treatment these girls need to get through the winter and hoping they will be stronger for it..

[@rowdymoore007]

I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge . i know it takes time to make vids do interviews etc but you are helping untold numbers of people you dont know, and will most likely never meet keep up the good work

[@fineshooter]

@farmerrooster thanks for watching any questions feel free to ask. Don

[@Majorme2]

Really like you approach to keeping bees. I'm a first yr. and got 3 abandoned hives 2 mos ago. Thanks for your instruction

[@farmerrooster]

I enjoy your videos and I learn from them.

[@yunk9]

Thank you. Yes more videos please.

[@mobillove007]

Thanks FBM!

[@Radwoem]

I will definitely be watching more of your videos! Thanks for the information. I may have to ride up and come see you sometime. I'm from Thomson, Ga. Thanks again!

[@timshaffer1879]

Thanks again Don. some day i hope i can make it down to see you and your setup. i made some splits of my haves a weeks ago and they are doing great. one is making 14 queens witch i hope to move into other boxes soon.i love the temperment of your bees and will see about ordering a couple of queens from you. i live abouv pittsburgh,pa and a bee that works at 40 deg. would also be a large benifit. thanks for everything. tim

[@ctgolfer]

Great video, nice job!

[@Trittydi]

Awesome!! .... thank you.

[@glenbrown4408]

thank you very informative website

[@tiffbutcher4902]

thanks so much !

[@careygregg6073]

This really does work!

[@bretleversha]

I assume you are talking about the varroa mite. It's great to see you are coming up with ideas to beat this terrible mite. We don't have these in Australia at the moment and hopefully never will. But if we do get them it is reassuring to know that there is a way to combat them. Please put another video up if you find a better/easier way to kill the mite in future. thanks

[@jannassary]

love your vids hi from Turkey

[@fineshooter]

@jannassary thanks for watching. Don

[@fineshooter]

@ctgolfer thanks for watching. Don

[@2011klausesbees]

question re: oxalas vapour application - after the initial how many times and how frequent - thank you - we've used this fogger that you are demonstrating - great ....

[@chan108dra]

Thank you for very interesting video, you mention the fogger can be purchased lowes or home depot , so do I go ask them for fogger ,as there are other uses for them too ,that they would be familiar with .

[@fineshooter]

@mobillove007 keep watching there's more to come. Don

[@johnmarkovich9097]

Don The Fat Bee Man what is the mixture of mineral oil and wintergreen

[@YourProduceGuy]

Is Crystal Plus the only oil you use? Is any food grade mineral oil going to work? Thanks. Love the videos!

[@fineshooter]

@Hunt3rLoke you can use a laxative its sold as mineral oil.also sugar dusting. Don watch the new fatbeeman channel Don

[@stepheninva]

Very interesting video, thanks for sharing. I'm assuming this can not be done when the temps are below 40 or the bees are inactive?

[@fineshooter]

@TheBeeChicken yes if you don't have a controlled mating area they mate with any other bees. Don

[@1234547139ful]

How many of these treatments do you do? I've heard some recommend doing three treatments a week apart.

[@PhillipHall01]

Don thank you for the video. I want to ask , can you use the mineral oil with oxalic acid in the place of ethanol with oxalic acid?

[@hischild8899]

A local beekeeper in Alabama uses the handle from an old weed eater and flattens the tip so it will slip into the entrance. The handle on the extension makes it easy to old the fogger and the distance from the fogger to the entrance gives the fog time to cool down...

[@josephmillwood1139]

Blew it on my hand today about 6-8 inches away and fog was hardly even warm not sure why you need an extension

[@JnJShiffler]

Agreed, My mentor Scott Sandridge of River Run Honey and Apiaries in Leesport PA just lent me his fogger last night and showed me how to use it, you can hold your hand in front, not hot at all.

[@fineshooter]

@tydonoler I only use mineral because other oil like veg based get rancid. 1 bottle16 oz. seems to last forever with just a few hives. Don

[@ChiritaFan]

Thank you for the video! Since mineral oil is a petroleum based by-product - which seems off putting to me, can you substitute with something such as raw organic coconut oil or another type of vegetable based oil? thank you again!

[@whyeakle]

Don - great video. Which treatment do you find best? Mineral oil or oxalic acid? Thanks again for the down-to-earth advise. Bill

[@fineshooter]

@yunk9 you might melt the styrofoam also there might be a moisture problem inside. Don

[@cynthiapevehouse218]

how do you keep the queen from laying eggs in the super without using queen exquistor

[@Trittydi]

You mentioned the outdoor temperature (40 degrees) a few diffedrent times - is that a factor in the timing of the fogging? I know you also discussed the temperate of the fogger - that part I'm clear on.

[@LaurieDotson]

Hello Fat Bee Guy, Should I start foggy my hives now in May? An how often should I fog. We lost a hive last year to the mites. Thank you for your Bee Wisdom!

[@bobfelicito2299]

can you continue to fog when you have Honey supers on top?

[@fineshooter]

@jaycbobo1 I am treating for varroa on small cell you don't need to treat for tracheal mite the whole bee is smaller including the trachia on large size 5.4 some time you get trachea mites. thanks for leavening a comment. if you like the video click like. Don

[@jaycbobo1]

Which mite are you treating for? Varroa? Or tracheal mites? Thanks for the great video.

[@jenellesnow6350]

Do you use tea tree oil in the fogger as well? Or just tea tree oil in the feeder syrup

[@TheBeeChicken]

My Italians are out in force in these temps as well. Who knows if they're still Italians though as I know 2 hives did requeen themselves themselves. Queens could have mated with anything lol Nice video.

[@UnDaoDu]

Hey don. Can you use baby oil or castral oil? What other oils can you use. since I can not get mineral oil in japan.

[@duckgoose6234]

Hi, Bee Man. You said your bees are a hybrid? What kind of bees are they? What kind of bees are good for the central Florida climate.

[@fineshooter]

@Removethebees you could fog up thru bottom boards.I don't use them. as for being too hot its only vapor you could do 2-3 times a week without hurting bees. Don

[@joybusse1519]

Is this OK to do in the spring in California? Meaning is it OK to do this when it is warm? I am assuming early morning or late afternoon is best? Thx.

[@waynelogan9725]

So you use straight mineral oil which we call parrafin oil in Australia. Do you do other treatments for Varroa using other products.

[@IniguezFamily]

I’m looking for a good fogger, some I have read about don’t handle mineral oil well. What fogger do you use with out many issues using mineral oil?

[@craighunt1480]

Don, I would like to purchase a fogger like the one in your demonstration, any help on where to get one would be very appreciated. Thanks...Craig

[@UnDaoDu]

I am in Japan and I have been checking out steamers since I can't seem to find a fogger and I felt the steamer and the water is not hot about foot away.

[@weavinghedonist]

Don, what exactly do you mean 4.0 bees? what mites are you treating for and what type of bees do you breed?

[@beebob1279]

I'm seeing a lot of people are using foggers but using oxalic acid dissolved in grain alcohol. A fire hazard issue is there, but have you looked into this? Your thoughts? It's looking easier than the vaporizer or the dribble technique. Thanks for any input.

[@jackbquick123]

Like your video's and subscribed, I'm gonna try this and have a question, would I need to take my in hive feeder out first? Would it give it a bad taste or contaminate it? Thanks

[@jackbquick123]

OK sorry I think I see a feeder.

[@UnDaoDu]

you cant get rid of them all you can do is manage them. I have them too and they are stuggling too. I been powdering them and I am planning to cut out the drone cell too. That will remove 25% of the mites since they breed in those cells... What do you think done... cutting out the drone cells?

[@weavinghedonist]

don, what type breed do you have, also, how do you control them without the risk of them intermingling????

[@jerryswope8366]

do you do a mite tes before and after

[@troystriming]

were do you get the fogger im in thew uk???

[@davidjordan6981]

Do you use straight mineral oil or do you diluted and will it hurt the honey

[@oliverhorsfall4501]

Don, why don't you use the fogger for the Oxalic Acid? Wouldn't be quicker than that custom made vaporiser? PLEASE ANSWER!

[@johnmackinnon9564]

no questions are being answered .

[@bartrak1]

Don Have you tried using vinegar for mite etc. removal ?

[@fineshooter]

@fineshooter I have never treated for trachea mites. the bees trachea is smaller on 4.9 bees. they don't often get in the trachea on large cell bees and when you reduce the size of whole bee the trachea is smaller in proportion to the bee, thus no treatment needed. Don

[@galinag4153]

hello can you give me more info on the way you do it.thank you.

[@tydonoler]

Don... could you please clarify if another natural oil like olive oil or coconut oil could also be used if it is fresh and not rancid?

[@robertmuir4496]

Good morning Fatbeeman.Have you heard of using Cinnamon bark Oil to rid the hives of mites?If so.Do you know how much to use?

[@motrello7242]

Can this be done in the summer months?

[@fineshooter]

@stepheninva I like to fog only if bees are active. Don

[@jrb752]

is this for varroa mites or trachea mites?

[@shelleytodd5786]

The steam/high temp will not harm the bees?

[@weavinghedonist]

i too want to know what bees he runs and why??

[@laurenbutler8620]

Don where do you get your oil from?

[@wh250]

Well done! Who sells the fogger?

[@markarnill3437]

Hi I was wondering if you have ever tried neem oil I know it kills spider mites and head lice so I was thinking it would work on them I am going to try it on a swam I Catch in the spring hopefully it won’t kill the bees what are your thoughts on that

[@bonniehatcher8198]

That was Awesome! Easy to understand and I think...if I had a fogger, I could go out and do it myself! Is there a specific kind of fogger to get?

[@apit7982]

Burgess 1443. $59 on amazon

[@jqueen1380]

How often and when to treat using this method?

[@MikeLoke16]

any branded 'white mineral oil(food grade)' can be use for mite control? If i cant find 'white mineral oil' in my country, any natural way for "mite control"?

[@generoll4027]

does this affect the honey in any way?

[@lauriesimard5852]

Hi - where can I buy a fogger and how much do they cost?

[@guitargalforever]

can you use oxalic acid in this fogger?

[@brianleach7158]

How you mix it up

[@richardclausen2904]

The shop said burning / fogging pure diesel works... Not too sure I want that in my bee hives 😡

[@slightlystooopid420]

Can this be done during summer month??

[@ordinaryguy6869]

Is it just mineral oil or is there some wintergreen in the mix. Thanks in advance!

[@djg585]

Which Burgess model is best?

[@fineshooter]

@ChiritaFan you have to watch some oils get rensed. Don

[@cassandraCC]

Could you use that same fogger with oxalic acid?

[@lloydswain6285]

can you tell me where to buy a foggier like you are using name and model if you can thank you Lloyd

[@stuartthomson13]

Got one in Great Britain from the states. A friend has used it and has killed off a few hives !!!!!

[@JnJShiffler]

hurt his bees with just mineral oil?

[@yunk9]

Can I use this on a styrofoam hive or is it too hot?

[@sergiiiaroshenko5012]

How many oil and oxalic acid?

[@jeffkish4945]

Don just a thought that im going to try is Oxcylic acid dissolved in ethyl alcohol and mixed with the mineral oil :)

[@msimon2790]

Hey Jeff, did you ever try this? I was thinking the same thing.

[@kennapop3]

Varroa and tracheal?

[@davepierce996]

I took your advice not to use gueen excludersafter tw

[@Quasibabe1]

Was Mr. Kuchenmeister ever the subject of a feature length documentary, or perhaps PART of such a documentary? I have a friend who keeps bees and he tells me that everything he's learned about the craft he learned from Herr Kuchenmeister. It must be so since the gentleman is all over KZbin with his classes. I believe it was Albert Einstein who said "If the bees die, we die." Probably not an exact quote, but true nonetheless, I think.

[@Westernwilson]

I believe mineral oil fogging has been discredited as a mite treatment.

[@pratibhaghartimagar7084]

Sir, i am a bee keeper from far east Nepal. here in Nepal very hard to get mineral oil to fog bees against mite, is there any alternative way instead of mineral oil? Thank you .

[@massobeme]

How does the mineral oil work against the varroa, ? Does it affect the open brood, eggs,pupae or honey flavor? Have you had colony deaths for using that?

[@deniselutsky]

Check out this page to get the information about how mineral oil affects varroa. www.bee-bay.net/blogs/did-you-know/1459432-food-grade-mineral-oil-fmgo-use-in-varroa-treatment confirms what FBM says in this video

[@wtw2030]

Hi Don where can i get a fo ger like that ?

[@stevenshields2386]

I ordered mine on Amazon

[@KreativeKP]

Walmart online

[@bonniefortuna2175]

Where do you get a mineral oil fogger and blowtorch?

[@alfonsovickers9515]

can you use the fogger during a nectar flow will hurt the honey

[@user-vy3cv5yi7r]

how does oil influence mites?

[@hischild8899]

It smothers them by coating the bees.

[@user-vy3cv5yi7r]

got it