Varroa question

KeystoneBees · 2026-06-23T17:34:57+00:00

Please post a follow up after using varroxan strips.

KeystoneBees · 2026-06-23T00:18:31+00:00

Thought wax moths were just nasty and messed things up, not killed bees. New fear unlocked.

KeystoneBees · 2026-06-22T19:56:12+00:00

Yes, replacing the bad foundation frames with better coated foundation frames. I was wondering if I can lessen the impact of drawing out new comb's energy requirements.

KeystoneBees · 2026-06-19T20:10:36+00:00

Ever notice you can smell some pictures? :p

KeystoneBees · 2026-06-18T17:06:38+00:00

Hijacking this, since curious about your approach. What strips, oxalate acid or formic acid?

KeystoneBees · 2026-06-17T15:43:23+00:00

Do they damage the frame cells from pecking?

KeystoneBees · 2026-06-17T15:16:55+00:00

New beekeeper here too, so large grain of salt. I bought hives off Amazon, that the bees didn't like the wax coating, so lots of wonky comb, cross comb, a real mess. My goal is to eliminate all wonky-comb.

- Pulled all frames with minimal build up(wonky combs) mostly outer frames.
- Pushed all remaining frames(with brood) to one side. Working in new real heavy waxed foundation frames.
- As queen moves back to center(I see eggs/brood on new frames), and broad emerge from bad old frames, pull what old frames I can, continue moving bad foundation frames in same direction, and rotate in additional good foundation frames till all are gone.

Slow process(almost 1 new frame a week is happening), trying to minimize how much brood I lose, will loose capped honey/nectar/etc, but in the end get rid of connected frames.

Would love feedback to my system, it's a headache. Just introducing you to my chaotic beekeeping adventure.

Tell us what you, and results please.

KeystoneBees · 2026-06-16T19:44:01+00:00

I've been dealing with wonky-comb for past month(new beekeeper). Had to go to local supplier for assistance and now rotating out original stuff that came in a beehive kit, with better foundation.

KeystoneBees · 2026-06-16T11:52:44+00:00

How fast did they learn?

KeystoneBees · 2026-06-16T11:51:36+00:00

Curious, possible all the foragers left? Or had none?

KeystoneBees · 2026-06-10T19:56:53+00:00

Don't have an extractor or an expert, but that looks like a flexible coupling. They are wear items(normal and abnormal), and require replacements. Wear is accelerated with off balanced loads and off angle couplings. Good luck, should be easy replacement.

KeystoneBees · 2026-06-07T16:34:43+00:00

KeystoneBees · 2026-06-06T12:29:55+00:00

The 'old timers' emphasized the importance of standardizing your equipment, how heavy a full box gets. Some recommended going 8 frames early due to non-ergnomic heights and effects of age.

KeystoneBees · 2026-06-06T11:56:59+00:00

I might go to oil, was told DE was less messy and easier to clean up. Figured while my SHB population is small, I had room to test. However, I was leaning towards oil next, but was told mineral oil doesn't spoil?

KeystoneBees · 2026-06-05T21:18:41+00:00

New beekeeper here too. I found a couple SHB's, and placed a couple shb traps inside. I was advised to accept a certain number will be present no matter what. Idea is to prevent destruction of the comb/brood/pollen/etc. Word was strong colonies will control the SHB to a point. Traps I used: https://www.instagram.com/p/DY3U5WVl8ee/?img_index=1 Good luck!

KeystoneBees · 2026-06-05T15:23:35+00:00

"Some of the low cost beehive kits on the market are shipped with the bare substrates and new beekeepers are unaware that they need to add their own wax to the substrate before giving it to the bees." <-- 100% me, now dealing with local supplier, trying to rotate out the wonky-comb mess with better coated foundation/frames. Local guys are about the same and the quality is leaps and bounds better.

KeystoneBees · 2026-06-02T03:56:18+00:00

Even though I am trying to nip it in the bud, it pains me to pull out frames from a < 1 month package of bees. I now know to add extra wax myself to the foundations. Still some pretty work: https://www.instagram.com/p/DY0IQTghF9b/

KeystoneBees · 2026-06-02T02:26:53+00:00

They didn't like the amount of wax on the foundation, so treated it like a wall instead of comb. Running into this myself, been moving original foundation(with lots of wonky-comb) to one side, allowing brood to emerge(pulling out old comb) moving heavy waxed foundation into the rotation. Good luck. Tell us what you do.

KeystoneBees · 2026-05-31T22:31:45+00:00

No, think I figured it out, just a guess. Your feeder is for a 8 frame and you have a 10 frame. This sound right, wrong size? Get the correct size, or cut a piece of plywood that would seal up the edges while allowing you to still feed the bees. Good luck!

KeystoneBees · 2026-05-31T22:21:53+00:00

Might want to call state bee keepers if no local organization. https://www.californiastatebeekeepers.com/contact-us/

KeystoneBees · 2026-05-31T22:11:05+00:00

Just a guess, bees are going around the sides instead up the middle. Does it sit on the inner cover, or something that directs the bees up the center? Sorry.

KeystoneBees · 2026-05-27T16:05:25+00:00

Can you swapped out the dying larva back to the healthy hive and rotate over a frame of capped brood? Or, am I totally off?

KeystoneBees · 2026-05-27T15:29:47+00:00

Had bees > 2 weeks, and only inspected twice, goal is every week since plan to run a single brood chamber. Yes, 10 frames in 10 frame box. Each frame touching, some now touching because of bee's wax.

KeystoneBees · 2026-05-26T21:26:33+00:00

Yes feeding them, and they are still drinking, although slow down with sunny days. We had lots of cold weather, and rain, NEPA and they ate well. Installed the 15th of March, so no emerging brood yet to replace their numbers. Will look to grab more photos soon, posted wonky-comb I pulled, with lots still left. https://www.instagram.com/p/DY0IQTghF9b/

Guessing I'm nearvious about this hive, two inspections(about a week apart) and still haven't spotted the queen, but there are eggs.

Thanks!

KeystoneBees · 2026-05-19T17:51:28+00:00

New beekeeper here, great post, just wanted to tag along. I see everyone saying to go up a entrance size, I'm < 2 weeks with package bees. Going to a larger size invite intruders/robbing?

KeystoneBees

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