hi everybody
I put a screened bottom board a couple of weeks ago and I have found some varroa mites on the sticky board. Not many (I would say the 24hr drop rate is about 2/3), but they are there. Here are a few questions for people more expert than me:
-- I think this is still below the threshold for treatment, right?
-- I plan to do powdered sugar treatment. I understand it has to be done weekly for at least 3 weeks to have an effect. My hive has 2 10-frame deep brood boxes, and 1 medium honey super. I understand I shouldn't dust the honey super. How much sugar for the deep boxes? I read both 1/2 cup or 1 cup per box.
-- Has anybody done the rhubarb treatment? Chopping up rhubarb leaves and putting them in the hive for natural oxalic acid release? How much rhubard? How often?
-- Finally, I have a package of Hopguard II treatments that I bought last year but ended up not using (I did not treat the hive last year at all, under the advice of the local honey producer who sold me my bees). I stored it in the barn so it went through sub-freezing temperatures. It is still sealed. Is it still effective?
Thanks
R