Mites are Killing our Bees. We Found the Solution…

Varroa mites are killing our bees…
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Thanks for watching!

[@SunraeSkatimunggr]

Bees get mites? Wow, I would have never guessed. Nice to learn something new.

[@mikewazowski7830]

To be fair it's just like almost any other animal on the planet and they can be affected by them but of course there are different types but it is something to look out for on just about any animal there is

[@SunraeSkatimunggr]

@@mikewazowski7830 Thanks

[@1erinjames]

Few Americans are aware of that mite and what can happen. I'm glad you're treating your broods! Australia bee keepers were devastated by the authorized destruction of their hives..Pray that does not happen here! Good job treating your colonies!

[@deannearmaya8090]

Yes it was devastating what happened in the Hunter. But here in Australia the authorities are trying to totally eliminate the mite. The US is more trying to limit its effects. Bee keeping isn't for the faint hearted that's for sure. Personally we got out.

[@1erinjames]

@@deannearmaya8090 terrible what is happening!

[@VedaSay]

Few observations: 1. Just turn the device on and move away like few fts. Your really dont need to be there. Once it turns off move it to another hive, load, turn on and move away. 2. Remove the honey holding frames when treating. Clean them separately with less toxic options. 3. Talk to your local bee keepers group and sync the treatment. If all treat together, it would reduce the mite population much efficiently.

[@maureenbeckstead6407]

So good to see you again...been missing updates on farm and family. Interesting bee info even to a non-beekeeping viewer. ❤

[@deman29316]

Helpful advice: when doing your mite test I follow abunch of bee keepers they take a frame and just shake into a box and then you a 1 cup measuring cup and scoop them from a corner of the box

[@catherinequigley569]

That sounds easier for sure

[@jibranbhat8711]

I had mites last year, and it was pretty easy to find out. The new bees had DWV so I googled, KZbin and asked a local employee from the University. Then I treated it and the Queen got the hive back to power within a month or so

[@bethcoddington2150]

We have bee keepers a couple miles from our farm in Iowa. This is fascinating to learn how much goes into caring for these amazing little miracles! Thank you!

[@Jenjen-qc5eq]

I am not a farmer I find all this fascinating.

[@Lincoln10129]

I love your channel. i have started my own business on ducks i canot thank you enough of what you have done for meand helped me threw the times I needed help I'm my business ❤️

[@whitehouseonthehill]

So glad to hear it!

[@joanneganon7157]

Hey Jake and Jr Bee keepers👋. I'm so glad you found Rob to teach you how to eradicate mites with the mites treatment🎉 Great job everyone👍. JO JO IN VT 💞

[@jntd4160]

Does anyone else watch "Just Alex"? He too has been learning about bee keeping, in particular...MITES! Ugh! Anyhow, he used these tacky sheets in the very bottom of the hive (bees can't get to it). Anyhow, it seemed like a rather quick and easy method to check for mites. I remember he counted the mites on the sticky paper, I just don't remember how he got rid of them!👍🙏🤟💞

[@DUSKvsDAWN]

Glad you know him too! Not only does that seem way easier, but no bees are killed in the process.

[@Tembershorts]

Yeah I watch him sometimes. That's really cool.

[@CypherAFhhhh]

Sticky paper isn’t a mite treatment - it’s just a sampling tool.

[@heavymechanic2]

Alex is a cool mate, just saw his 3 hour video.. In the summer months after the honey pull, I treat once a month with OAV as a knock down to prevent the mites from exploding as the colony loses its workforce. 2-3 applications in late fall to rid mites from the hive.

[@annietind262]

I found this very interesting. I never knew there's so much in caring for bees. I knew about the moths they may get into the hive but never the mites. Thank you for sharing. Very educational. 😊

[@whitehouseonthehill]

Thank you, Annie!

[@Synergyfarm]

Awesome video as always! When catching swarms you definitely want some used brood comb and possibly a queen excluder on the entrance so she won’t abscond. Bees don’t see plastic foundation as room to work so they don’t like to stay very often if you don’t have any used comb to add. It’s a nice time to hit them with the vapor treatment as they are bloodless and the vapor treatments don’t work on capped brood.

[@Synergyfarm]

Also when I grab bees to sample, I use an extra pronuc or jester box to shake the bees into. The bees that fly out are normally foragers which you don’t want and then you can bang the pronuc down on one side to collect all the bees in one area. I take one full scoop that way and it’s super easy for me. I use to try brushing them in but it’s too hard for me.

[@whitehouseonthehill]

We added brood in - as shown in the video at the end of moving them over.

[@helenallen4449]

So glad to watch a new video. I love watching you and your family. How is the fish pond doing, any updates?

[@whitehouseonthehill]

We'll work on the aviary and the aviary pond soon

[@trudyunger]

I love watching your bee journey. you have come a long way.I love your videos, whenever you post, i get so excited.

[@whitehouseonthehill]

I'm so glad!

[@trudyunger]

thankyou so much

[@jackandcartbrown8626]

those bees were harassing him at the start 😭

[@bradleylefika9209]

Yeah it was hectic, at some point I was even thinking he should kill or donate all of them and move on from the bee project

[@yes6282]

@@bradleylefika9209why..?

[@destinyyang5096]

@@yes6282if you watched from the beginning of his bee keeping career his first few colonies really messed them up.

[@davidg.8840]

Thank you for educating us. Learning something new.

[@darlouthia5153]

This was very informative. I love your honesty about your journey. Great model of seeking out good sources of knowledge to help you on your path. ❤

[@whitehouseonthehill]

Thank you, Darlou!

[@raterus]

I put a little sign at my entrances that says "Varroa mites killed here!". It does great for keeping the numbers down.

[@buttsbeesllc4063]

[@ec9596]

Man I love you channel and your video and the honesty you show in a first year bee keeper and I'm learning as I go much appreciated you sharing your journey may I ask what state your in

[@whitehouseonthehill]

So great to hear, thanks!

[@shane9622]

FYI, next time put screen in the container with isopropyl alcohol then with the yellow lid run it down the bees backs. They will roll right into the yellow cap, there is also a lighter line (midway)that I use to guesstimate 300 bees. Works very well and doesn't aggravate bees as must as shaking frames. Also when you throw bees into wash container the alcohol dispatches them very quickly. "beginners" make sure you don't wash the queen! Best of luck to all beekeeper.

[@TheJoyfulMom]

If you start at the top and run the cup down the frame the bees will roll off into the cup. Much easier than trying to scoop them in.

[@whitehouseonthehill]

Makes sense

[@thebikerbee]

Hey guys, one comment is that you should be protecting your eyes as well. Oxalic acid vaporize can affect the eyes. Please do diligent research and plan to get some PPE when using oxalic acid. 😬

[@acgray1972]

Im so glad you understand all this info! 😂 Im also happy that you're 🐝 are thriving! But this was confusing 😂

[@helenallen4449]

My brother is the President of Nelson County Ky. Bee Keepers Club so we love watching your bees.

[@AnnJo24224]

Thanks for letting me know!

[@rosestansfield5516]

Great to see you back. You were missed!

[@petgranny194]

This was very interesting - thank you everyone.

[@naomibeery8098]

Bee's are so fascinating. Your guest was so knowledgeable, great video!

[@whitehouseonthehill]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kunsang36963]

Very instructive video... Thanks! 🙏💖👌🤩💫

[@Uppey12345]

Collect your test bees use a funnel it works very well you shake the bees over the funnel they drop in to a holding container. I would have put the test kit in a extractor and strapped it in and used the extractor to spin my test container just an idea.

[@sherryfichtersherry6823]

Thank you I loved all the information so interesting!!!!

[@whitehouseonthehill]

Glad to hear it!

[@guywilliams3108]

Use a vacuum pump with sample cup inline. Zero cup on scale dividend by bee weight you have you count.

[@miraness9026]

Where can I buy the vaporizer? I can't find it on Amazon

[@Casandra1959]

Good Afternoon from Fond Du Lac,Wisconsin Love bees

[@debbiekimberly8876]

Love the bee videos!🥰 Thank you!

[@jenny9545horse]

Great video 👍🏼

[@lisadavila1328]

It's nice to see the process in treating the hives.

[@whitehouseonthehill]

Thanks!

[@samuelschult985]

This was super cool and informative 👍

[@catherinequigley569]

Great info to stave off the decreasing numbers of our vital bees

[@nahnisjourney1406]

Good afternoon from Coastal Georgia.

[@miraness9026]

It would be very helful if you put under your videos where you purchased the things you are showing us on the video

[@knopie88]

Learned a lot of your video. I never knew bee's could be bothered by mites!

[@whitehouseonthehill]

We appreciate it!

[@Serendipity_Strawberry_Farm]

In Australia we have been told that our 1/2 cup measuring cup is approximately 300 bees.

[@Tembershorts]

I don't think I could ever have bees just because I'm so allergic to them. Getting more than 4-5 stings at once could probably kill me.

[@CaroleWu-py4rs]

I’m 67 , well actually will be 68 on the 19th. Holy crap didn’t think about that. Anyway, I’ve never been stung by a bee,,,so far. I always wonder if I might be allergic or not. Fingers crossed for the next few years. Haha. Hope you’re having a great day and always make sure you have an epi pen with you. Take care wherever you’re are. Carole. 👍🏼

[@valsalasrinivasan8521]

❤❤❤❤ lots of love to u and ur family

[@whitehouseonthehill]

Thank you so much 😊

[@iplantseeds4639]

Wow I learned allot Thank you 🙏 💜✨

[@reufhalimi8516]

I’ve been waiting and waiting for a new video, I enjoyed watching this but I wanted to ask about your peafowls, I always ask this and I apologize, but Blue and Belle’s peachicks are they both peahens, and if they are are you guys going to keep them? Also did you guys choose names for them? ❤

[@whitehouseonthehill]

We'll see... they won't go in the aviary with Blue and Belle, we'll keep them separate

[@debbeasher-k4764]

Great info.❤🎉

[@willowwillow2023]

Apple cider vinegar. Soak the inside of the hive. It deters the mites from coming into the hive.

[@2qlrn273]

I imagine this soaking must be done BEFORE putting any bees or frames in them. . . . I wonder how long the effects of the cider vinegar lasts to repel the mites.

[@willowwillow2023]

@2qlrn273 150 years ago beekeepers preferred building hives from ceder as a method of moth control. Yes every time you clean the hive......

[@MrsHilly62]

@willowwillow2023 My brother has lost colonies using cedar hives. He says the cedar kills bees like it kills and repels insects & bugs. I'm conflicted, tho, because I hear other people using it.

[@susanrowland8915]

Regarding the cedar question … Beekeepers in Britain use cedar mights all the time … much more often than the pine that we use. Last a lot longer in their wet weather.

[@hubertpounall1323]

Whenever you caught a swarm the way you do put that that on the ground below for awhile to allowed the other bees to go in.

[@nimadaneshvar9404]

"It's interesting; I can't believe bees also get parasites and mites. I used to think only birds and mammals could be affected. This is quite fascinating to know."

[@mmlsharp0587]

Ants are too :0

[@mauriceforget7869]

I love bees, honey.

[@raadsaad9986]

شكرا لك

[@WildwoodsBeekeeping]

Nice video Guys!!

[@whitehouseonthehill]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lizzysanders523]

I needed to hear this

[@AnnJo24224]

So are those bees on the tree natural split from another hive?

[@whitehouseonthehill]

Yes

[@chrystal4roses122]

Are you sure it doesn't affect the honey

[@1erinjames]

I fully hear your concern!! But understand that if these mites are not controlled extremely well, no one will be allowed to keep bees. Without people keeping bees, we are in big trouble for food. In Australia, I think, a year or two ago their govt ruled that if these mites were found the whole brood was destroyed. A lot of bees were ended. If been keepers keep up with health of bees they keep, that mite might be controllable. I say might because I have greater confidence in our bees being destroyed by govt overreach than I do in bee keepers doing what needs to be done to iradicate these terrible mites!!

[@LorobBees]

Great question!! Interestingly enough it is federally approved for use when honey supers are on the hive because oxalic acid is naturally found in all honey and post treatment the levels are increased my a minimal amount. Now, honey time means more brood. Less brood means more effective treatments. Successful treatments can be done during the honey flow to get things under control but the goal is to get on a treatment plan that has the hives in check going into the honey flow so you don’t have to do so many extra treatment rounds. There is a lot more math involved but that’s kind of an overview. Hope that helped shine some light on the situation. -Rob

[@lainightwalker5495]

hope it goes well.

[@franlats0705]

I love bees and taught my kids to look after them if they find them needing help. My eldest was attacked by a rather detwrmined wasp and developed a fear of anythign with a stinger. So i have shown him giving a bee sugar water and plain water in the summer when theyre getting too hot and when we went to a national forest (near london) there were bees that buried themselves. So we sat down next to a tonne of their little dens and were surrounded by hundreds of them. They were so relaxed, they didnt bother you at all. Non woyld land on us or anything so it really helped his fear. If anyone does get scared and run away, a tip i was told was control your breathing, when you panic you are pushing out more carbon dioxide and the bess and wasps follow that trail. It works for me but please correct me if i am wrong 😊

[@marianelaflores7652]

I love bees also their honey 🍯, but I’m so scared of them too 😊

[@MrsHilly62]

Where can we buy one of those fancy vape/smokers?

[@whitehouseonthehill]

Use my link and get FREE SHIPPING on orders over $500: lorobbees.com/Whitehouseonthehill (if requested, use code Whitehouseonthehill)

[@mastwaltesfaye7696]

I love all your family

[@anitae]

Would you consider getting rabbits?

[@Sosueet]

What about any bees that are out foraging, do they get the benefit of the treatment also?

[@jibranbhat8711]

The gas/powder remains inside for quite some time and even if some are left, the bees are out of danger for many months

[@AbdielDavila-jl7tp]

I have a question what is the best incubator to buy

[@mharzzz8908]

Good morning from Philippines

[@LauraMessenger]

How much more progress on the aviary?

[@aymen5090]

احبكم ❤

[@tterry53]

If you can do it, prune the branch off and just lay it on the open hive, works great.

[@candicerunyon2762]

Is there a food you can give them that would stop the infestation of the mites?

[@whitehouseonthehill]

Not that I've heard of. The mites feed off of the bees. What food would stop that?

[@candicerunyon2762]

Just thinking off the top of my head. I was thinking that perhaps pollen from onions or garlic would make it distasteful to the mites or some other plant mite irritant. I have read many comments and your viewer's who have good bits of info to share with you. It shows how emotionally involved they are with your bee keeping business. 👌 Another thing that brought the food idea to mind, was the fact that ticks will die-drop off animals and livestock when they are given Ivermectin. I too hate the fact you have to sacrifice a small portion of bee's to check for these nasty pests. Wishing you all the best in all you do. Your boy's are getting real school hands on training in a very important and valuable vocation.👍

[@brendaboyle5994]

So do you treat 3 times, 6 days apart with with this kind of OA vaporizer?

[@Davei_Boi]

What’s the name of the background music in this video?

[@whitehouseonthehill]

I had a lot of it, all from Epidemic Sound

[@Andrew-ky8oc8cq4n]

It's so great that uses a standard battery pack.

[@cameroonkendrick6312]

You should make a wildflower meadow or something the bees will like that

[@burnzcool_]

Finally .. bee video!!!!😄

[@Pajama_Productions09]

Easier than bending metal with my arms 😅 lol tf

[@MSsarahb555]

What happens to the bees that are out of the hive when you are treating?

[@whitehouseonthehill]

They won't be treated, but treatments of OA are supposed to happen several times over a week or two to get all of the new bees that emerge from capped cells to kill all of the mites.

[@dapgamebirdshomestead8012]

Great video

[@whitehouseonthehill]

Thanks!

[@joannekucks4343]

Very interesting. Let’s do more instructional videos.

[@XxGamer]

Fascinating

[@oumchahddz123]

My english IS not very good i learnit . your family IS very nice .I'm from Algeria

[@brianboe3774]

If you put one frame of brood from another hive they will march right in

[@kellyfoster6983]

I love that this family cares so much for all that they look after. Great, informative video. Thanks

[@whitehouseonthehill]

Thank you!

[@katecollins4886]

Not really. They continue to “wing it” without doing proper research, training, and husbandry, leading to hurt and even dead animals (look at their most recent videos). If anything, they are honest about their failings but that doesn’t help the animals in their care.

[@kellyfoster6983]

@@katecollins4886 that is, of course, your opinion. As my comment was mine.

[@XxGamer]

Almost hooked me until the Respirators came out.

[@jibranbhat8711]

Fr. I was interested about oxalic acid but I'm gonna stick to formic acid..

[@jeffharper9292]

I have to use a respirator to mow my grass due to allergies. Using one while treating our bees is a piece of cake.

[@GodsOath_com]

I saw 3 mites

[@siphuthandojacoblubelwana2313]

Yess 😊, the bees!

[@andybaum8260]

love th videos❤

[@whitehouseonthehill]

Thank you!

[@Dramakitkat]

Do bees ever fight bee from other hives?

[@jibranbhat8711]

Yes they do. Depends on what kind of bees and their temper.

[@xyqzzzzz]

why not make the white mesh thing to hold roughly 300-400 bees?

[@guywilliams3108]

If the treatment does hurt the bees why test them, just apply the cure.

[@Pickles1947]

They don't want to treat a colony that doesn't have mites.

[@arerbaCtreboR]

I never understood that either really. I’ve treated my hives twice without testing. The treatment doesn’t hurt the bees… so just do it to be safe that’s how I always looked at it. I know that’s frowned upon but, that’s what I’ve done this year.

[@petrafischer6599]

I Europe we count the natural dead fall of mites. Less invasive. Alcohol wash has so much challenges, a lot of work, lots of stings….Studies in Germany show it’s also not accurate.

[@merrymac5460]

It was really interesting to learn so much about this bee issue. What are your plans for all the honey? 🐝

[@whitehouseonthehill]

We sell most of it in July and keep the rest for us and family.

[@NadineMurphy-o5f]

🐝I love it 🐝

[@grammybear4226]

🐼 Big Panda Bear Hugs from a 70 yr old grandma in Texas, USA and by the way l'm subscribed and l hit Like. 🐼 ❤ (l'm not a bot, l'm a real person who is a terrible typist since l lost use in my left hand so l use copy/paste)

[@julielaird3121]

So what happened to you guys. Where have you been?

[@WYATTHIGGS]

I know I'm like dang they haven't uploaded😊

[@tajrahshatajrahsha5250]

im trying to hatch eggs, any suggestions?

[@lenturtle7954]

Oxalic is in nectar high levels in rubarb leaves . Its natural hydrogen peroxide

[@JakeThorburn]

Pigeon update soon?? 😢 please😊?!??

[@MS-vi9xo]

Interesting.

[@artsyapple6509]

Curious, the test seems to kill a good chunk of a colony in order to see the possible mites. If the oxalic acid isn't harmful, why not just do it as a prevention treatment without the testing?

[@nisar8009]

They actually didn’t kill hardly any of the colony. There are an average of 30-60,000 bees in a hive. And why do something that not necessary. It costs money. On a farm you don’t spend money that’s not needed.

[@Pure_fun_Seramas]

First love you guys ❤