View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
Labow Nurse Bee
Joined: 10 Mar 2016 Posts: 28 Location: San Francisco, CA
|
Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2017 9:20 pm Post subject: Anyone using Creosote Bush Smoke for Varroa? Other organic? |
|
|
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 |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
madasafish Silver Bee
Joined: 29 Apr 2009 Posts: 882 Location: Stoke On Trent
|
Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2017 9:26 am Post subject: |
|
|
Thymol and oxalic acid treatments are conventional and totally organic. And they work.
Which is what cannot be said for most alternatives. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
catchercradle Golden Bee

Joined: 31 May 2010 Posts: 1550 Location: Cambridge, UK
|
Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2017 7:35 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Quote: | Thymol and oxalic acid treatments are conventional and totally organic. And they work. |
In my book thymol and oxalic acid chemically produced from oil do not count as organic. Neither does most creosote as these days most is produced from coal tar. Just because something can be produced from organic sources doesn't make it organic, certainly not to Soil association standards and even if thymol is counted by them as organic it isn't by me!
That doesn't mean I will never use it, - if I feel my bees really need a varroa treatment I will use either thymol or oxalic acid. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
BBC Scout Bee
Joined: 11 Jul 2012 Posts: 407 Location: Bicker, Lincolnshire, UK
|
Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2017 8:52 pm Post subject: |
|
|
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. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
madasafish Silver Bee
Joined: 29 Apr 2009 Posts: 882 Location: Stoke On Trent
|
Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2017 9:10 pm Post subject: |
|
|
catchercradle wrote: | Quote: | Thymol and oxalic acid treatments are conventional and totally organic. And they work. |
In my book thymol and oxalic acid chemically produced from oil do not count as organic. . |
Thymol is not produced from oil. It is produced from thyme.. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Labow Nurse Bee
Joined: 10 Mar 2016 Posts: 28 Location: San Francisco, CA
|
Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2017 9:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
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. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
SPECIAL OFFER FOR UK FORUM MEMBERS - Buy your protective clothing here and get a special 15% discount! (use the code BAREFOOTBEEKEEPER at checkout and be sure to 'update basket')
Are the big energy companies bleeding you dry?
Is way too much of your hard-earned family income going up in smoke?
Are you worried about what could happen if the ageing grid system fails?
You need to watch this short video NOW to find out how YOU can cut your energy bills TO THE BONE within 30 days!
WATCH THE VIDEO NOW
|
Conserving wild bees
Research suggests that bumble bee boxes have a very low success rate in actually attracting bees into them. We find that if you create an environment where first of all you can attract mice inside, such as a pile of stones, a drystone wall, paving slabs with intentionally made cavities underneath, this will increase the success rate.
Most bumble bee species need a dry space about the size a football, with a narrow entrance tunnel approximately 2cm in diameter and 20 cm long. Most species nest underground along the base of a linear feature such as a hedge or wall. Sites need to be sheltered and out of direct sunlight.
There is a spectacular display of wild bee hotels here
More about bumblebees and solitary bees here
Information about the Tree Bumblebee (Bombus hypnorum)
|
|
|
Barefoot Beekeeper Podcast
|
|
|
|
4th Edition paperback now available from Lulu.com
|
site map
php. BB © 2001, 2005 php. BB Group
View topic - Anyone using Creosote Bush Smoke for Varroa? Other organic? - Natural Beekeeping Network Forum
|
|