The Collapse of a High Mite Hive

[@blackberry5908]

Thanks for reminding us the hard way and sacrificing a hive for everybody.

[@themaverickbeekeeper]

A good learning tool, but to see a colony suffering is tragic.

[@betterbee1979]

Very true. We are not fans of that part of this process. Dr. Peck performed these types of experiments when studying varroa and its effects at Cornell, so he is very careful to limit the losses as much as possible. Hopefully, seeing this hive's demise helps others recognize what went wrong in their hives so they can learn what to change for next time.

[@WarPigstheHun]

​@@betterbee1979is it true that scientists are trying to use Varroa mite secretions to dissolve plastic waste?

[@robertglenn5263]

Just happened to my hive as a first year beek. I have treated for the mite from hell since installing my hive last May. What I failed to do is to test for the mite from hell. I have to test now to make sure this is not foulbrood, I don't believe that it is. For there is no odor emitted from the frames. If by chance that it is, I don't know if I can continue to raise bees. Being retired having to destroy my hive would cause me to cancel bees next spring . My advice to any new beek is to be sure to test, regardless if you have mentors that do not test. They probably have a more experienced eye to spot trouble and know how to avoid it. Thanks Prayers appreciated! No sympathy. I know how I failed by not treating. Foulbrood out of my control!

[@Westernwilson]

Interesting that the honey harvest was so vastly reduced as a result of Varroa infestation as well.

[@alastair1955]

Awesome video. At last when people tell me they don't know why there are suddenly no bees in their hive, and they don't believe me when I say it was very likely varroa mites cos they didn't see any plus the hive seemed fine a few weeks ago, I can point them to this video. Nice work!

[@manekdubash5022]

So depressing that some people won't treat - and so condemn their bees and those of other beekeepers to a slow death. Horrible.

[@jamskinner]

Not necessarily. I treat but I’m not going to attack someone trying to build mite resistance.

[@MechWarrior894]

I never did mite checks when I should have, but one of my hives looked just like this one before absconding in the fall. I need to be better next year.

[@susanrowland8915]

Wow! Thanks for posting an excellent video.

[@etiennelabeille]

Very useful and much of this info is new to me. I thought I knew about varroa.

[@gusmitchellcranesnesthoney6529]

Great Video

[@robbailes4387]

Literally just went through this with a really big hive. I got really busy at work and the hive looked so strong I thought everything was ok. So numbers of bees entering the hive doesn’t mean it’s a heathy hive. When I saw no bees I quickly suited up but it was too late. The hive was full of mites. Question is no what do I do? Can you please make a video explaining what to do with this situation if you want to get another swarm? Please

[@MechWarrior894]

I recommend killing the mites either through oxalic acid treatment or dry ice. Seal it up so no robbers get in.

[@Prober61]

If the hive gets robbed aren't the mites catching a ride on the robber bees?

[@WarPigstheHun]

Yep. That's how they survive.

[@petercooney8658]

Won’t shaking a brood frame damage brood?

[@betterbee1979]

Shaking will not damage worker and drone brood because they lay perpendicular to the shake motion. However, shaking a queen cell will likely detach the larva from her pool of food and she will die.

[@blackberry5908]

@@betterbee1979 isnt the queen also laid perpendicular the shake motion ? supercedure cells for example

[@betterbee1979]

​@@blackberry5908 Thank you for opening up an important dialogue here at Betterbee! We talked about this a lot internally and came to the realization that Dr. Peck uses a different frame-shaking technique than others do here, so his technique at 00:45 would make for queen cells laid perpendicular to the shaking motion. However, we recommend never shaking frames with queen cells. Anne also wanted to clarify that we do not "bang" the frames on a surface to remove the bees. That movement has the potential to damage all types of brood. We hope this clears things up! This is hard to explain in writing so it sounds like we need to create a video with a more visual explanation.

[@blackberry5908]

@@betterbee1979 Amazing response thanks.

[@petercooney8658]

Ok thanks !

[@lynnerousseau9676]

🙈😱🤪🚫🐝 Thanks for sharing