Natural Beekeeping International Forum

[Labow]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone has used Creosote Bush smoke to treat their hives for varroa mite? I've heard it works well, and is a safe/organic treatment.

Does anyone have any other organic treatments they use? This is my first year with hives, and I'm just starting to notice some varroa so I want to get on it. I'm very strict about only using organic treatments, and would love to hear what other people have done.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Brian

[madasafish]

Thymol and oxalic acid treatments are conventional and totally organic. And they work.

Which is what cannot be said for most alternatives.

[catchercradle]

[BBC]

Crude oil is nothing more than the remains of decomposed marine organisms which died millions of years ago. So how is it that crude oil and it's products are not considered organic ?
Colin
BBC
_________________
Bees build Brace Comb for a reason, not just to be bloody-minded.

[madasafish]

[Labow]

Thanks for the responses. I've done some additional reading on creosote, and have decided against it. However, I should point out that I'm talking about burning the creosote bush, not what is produced with coal tar. I've read about some other vegetation that can be burned and seems to help, but there isn't very much information about the effect on the bees so I'm not sure about using them.

A lot of people I talk to are suggesting formic acid or oxalic acid (some say at this point in the year I should use oxalic acid because there is less risk of killing my queens). I have to do more reading about thymol.

Catchercradle, do you have something organic that you use to treat your hives for varroa?

Also, I don't know if it matters, but I have top bar hives. Thought I'd mention it.