at last !!..Hallelujah - good reason not to ban tobacco

[eltalia]

_______________________________________________________
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/176658/Braula-fly.pdf

Diagnostic
Simple observation of adult bees, particularly the
resident queen bee, may reveal the presence of
adult braula flies. For a more thorough
examination, sticky boards/mats should be inserted
on the bottom board. Two to three grams of
tobacco should be added to the smoker. The lid
should be pushed back slightly. A liberal amount of
smoke (infused with tobacco) is applied into the
entrance of the colony, until the smoke comes out
through the top of the frames. Leave the colony for
two minutes, and then remove the sticky mats.
Careful examination of the sticky mats should
reveal the presence of braula fly. Any specimens
can be sent to the NSW DPI Entomology section
(Orange Agricultural Institute, Forest Road, Orange,
NSW - Australia.

_______________________________________________________

Maybe 15 years ago I found VD mites in a colony I had been
asked to remove by an executor of an Estate, the colony
had not been worked in some years. The wood being in a
sad state I elected to do a strip and rehouse on site.
On getting into the broodchamber I found the queen had
these mites on her thorax and many a drone with at least
one. I took photos - poor 35mm in those days - and torched
the whole shebang.
Much letter writing around DPI addresses followed, the end
result being "we'll keep an eye out". Local peers at that time
were interested at first but with no action forthcoming from
the DPI - the "Experts" - most soon lost interest in finding nothing
in their colonies of note.
Never seen anything like those mites again, and hope I never do.

Reading today an account elsewhere of an infestation in Tasmania
I went looking to realise it is more likely the mites were BF and, 
whilst I do wonder why DPI gurus at that time failed to say so,
I am happy to read here is a use for tobacco.
A fond user of the raw product - factory filter-tips will kill ya - I
grow a few plants just for the flowers, bugs eat pretty much all
the leaf.  So it is I am happy to read I am all tooled up for a BF
infestation, when it happens ... heh :-))

Bill

[tjc1]

I thought that varroa (assuming that is what you indicate by VD) had not gotten to Oz - I would have thought that finding some 15 years ago would have created a stir! BTW, what does DPI stand for?

[paus]

I heard an OLD man 93 talking about bees, and he had had bees all of his life.  He was in the Carolinas, he said if the bees were real mean they smoked them with tobacco and it immediately made them calm down.  I have tried to get some stems to use on bad cutouts etc.  but it is not readily available here. For your library of useless information.

[gww]

Bill
I have not grown it though I have thought about it.  I am a fond user though and buy it by 15 lbs worth of bags and stuff my own filtered tubes.  I am dedicated even if it kills me. .  I also eat tons of glutton and have been making sour dough bread every day for the last month due to getting a bunch of free flour.  So I don't know about lenght of life but can attest to quality of life.  If any of this also helps with buggs, so much the better.  And lets not forget coffee.
I had read some where that tobbacco can make the bees a little more agressive as an after effect but probly could not find where I read it. 
Cheers
gww

[eltalia]

@gww
" I had read some where that tobbacco can make the bees a little more agressive as an
after effect but probly could not find where I read it. "

We must have read the same book..?.... as such has always been my belief.
That said, more often  than not I am around colonies with a durry (deadend)
hanging from my lip. Keeps me mouth shut ... heh ;-)

Buuut given @paus report I will try a few green leaves mixed in with
the woodchip next time I do a rescue.

Bill

[eltalia]

@tjc1
"I thought that varroa (assuming that is what you indicate by VD) had not gotten to Oz - "

Yep, varroa destructor (VD)...too easy acronym.
There have been no confirmed sightings, yet.

"I would have thought that finding some 15 years ago would have created a stir!
 BTW, what does DPI stand for?"

Loosely, it is the Federal/State g'ment arm that monitors all agricultural pursuits in
Aussie - "department of primary industry" in most states, it goes by whatever naming
some new pollie decides to throw some new money at in making a name for
himself/herself.
Today it is "Biosecurity Australia" one reports to, I think... I myself, from past
experience with such G'mnt microcultures, I would consult CSIRO.
https://www.csiro.au/en/Locations

That "15" is a typo @tjc1... it was around the mid'80s so more like 35
years. The photos I took were 35mm slides so there is a timeline indicator
for a slip into "senior moment" mode... heh :-))
There was a time when I would usually only visit a broodchamber
once a year - as I was taught - to set the colony for "swarm season"
and maybe replace an old frame or two.
Since the discovery in Cairns of Apis Cerana colonies - circa 2003/7
I am in brood chambers at least once a month from August to March.
And it is the same reason I decided to join some online forums
recently(2017), well that and hoping to run into some other Aussie
keeping Tets or looking to discuss same.
As sad as some bLogs I have read are in management it cannot be
denied the only "active" advice around VD management is coming from
you guys, "Stateside", as I know it.
It pays to be informed before it happens, is my mantra.
And it will happen here in Aussie, it is only a matter of Time.

Bill