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Randy,s Posts

Oxalic Acid: Part 1- Questions, Answers, and More Questions

Oxalic Acid: Part 1 (of 2) Questions, Answers, and More Questions Why Oxalic Acid? ©Randy Oliver 2006 ScientificBeekeeping.com First Published in ABJ in December 2006 European beekeepers, who have dealt with varroa much longer than we have, and who often face regulations that do not look favorably upon chemicals that may contaminate honey, noted that...

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IPM 1 Fighting Varroa : The Silver Bullet, or Brass Knuckles?

IPM 1 Fighting Varroa The Silver Bullet, or Brass Knuckles? © Randy Oliver 2006, 2009 ScientificBeekeeping.com First Published in ABJ in December 2006 The varroa mite is the toughest challenge ever faced by American beekeepers. Our reaction to it reminds me of the five stages of dealing with trauma (greatly paraphrased from Kubler-Ross 1997): Stage...

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Oxalic Acid: Part 2 Heat Vaporization and Other Methods

Oxalic Acid: Part 2 Heat Vaporization and Other Methods Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com Originally published ABJ Jan 2007 Update December 2016: I suggest that you view my oxalic acid Powerpoint presentation, which I will try to keep up to date–https://scientificbeekeeping.com/oxalic-acid-powerpoint-presentation/ In my article last month, I detailed the use of the oxalic acid sugar syrup “dribble”...

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IPM 2 Fighting Varroa 2: Choosing your Troops: Breeding Mite-Fighting Bees

IPM 2 Fighting Varroa 2 Choosing your Troops Breeding Mite-Fighting Bees (Second in a series on Integrated Pest Management of varroa) ScientificBeekeeping.com Originally published in ABJ, Jan. 2007 I got tired of getting my butt kicked by varroa. My first step in getting the upper hand on the mite was to forswear the coddling of...

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IPM 3 Fighting Varroa : Strategy – Understanding Varroa Population Dynamics

IPM 3 Fighting Varroa : Strategy – Understanding Varroa Population Dynamics © Randy Oliver 2006 ScientificBeekeeping.com First Published in ABJ in February 2007 What are the Population Dynamics of Varroa in a Honeybee Colony? Seasonal Factors Computer Models What Can We Do to Keep the Mite Population Under Control? Tactics Used by Mite-Tolerant Bees Acknowledgements...

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IPM 4 Fighting Varroa : Reconnaissance Mite Sampling Methods and Thresholds

Integrated Pest Management 4: Fighting Varroa Reconnaissance Mite Sampling Methods and Thresholds © Randy Oliver 2006 ScientificBeekeeping.com First Published in ABJ in March 2007   Three strategies I’ve found that always fail when battling varroa are: 1. Denial—“I haven’t seen any mites, so my mite levels must be low.” 2. Wishful thinking—“I haven’t seen very...

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IPM 5 Fighting Varroa : Biotechnical Tactics – Part 1

IPM 5 Fighting Varroa : Biotechnical Tactics 1 Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com First Published in ABJ in April 2007 (Fifth in a series on Integrated Pest Management of Varroa)   (Photos to be added – check back) In the “silver bullet” model, any mite kill less than 95% was considered ineffective. Unfortunately, the days of that...

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IPM 5 Fighting Varroa : Biotechnical Tactics Part 2

IPM 5 Fighting Varroa  Biotechnical Tactics 2 The One-Two Punch Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com First Published in ABJ in May 2007   Introduction 1 Drone Brood Management and Trap Combs 1 Powdered sugar dusting 4 The Oliver 15-second sugar dust method 6 Discussion 7 The one-two punch—30 seconds to knock out varroa! 7 My new website...

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IPM 7 Fighting Varroa -The Arsenal: “Natural” Treatments – Part 1

IPM 7 Fighting Varroa 7 The Arsenal: “Natural” Treatments  Part 1 Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com First Published in ABJ in August 2007 (Ninth in a series on integrated pest management of Varroa) Disclaimer: I am not licensed to make any pesticide recommendation. I am merely reporting on information from appropriate authorities. You should consult your local authority...

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IPM 7 Fighting Varroa The Arsenal: “Natural” Treatments – Part 2

IPM 7 Fighting Varroa The Arsenal: “Natural” Treatments – Part 2 © Randy Oliver 2007 ScientificBeekeeping.com First Published in ABJ in September 2007 (Tenth in a Series on Integrated Pest Management of Varroa)   Let me tell you, researching and writing this series has been an education for me! Several of my preconceived notions have...

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IPM 6 Fighting Varroa The Arsenal: Our Choice of Chemical Weapons

  IPM 6 Fighting Varroa The Arsenal: Our Choice of Chemical Weapons Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com First Published in ABJ in June 2007 I’m clearly in the “minimal chemical” camp, yet all my commercial buddies, without exception, depend upon “off label” use of agricultural miticides to keep their colonies alive. These are top-notch beekeepers, and I...

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Fat Bees – Part 1

Fat Bees – Part 1 Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com First Published in ABJ in August 2007 What if I told you that there was one amazing molecule in the honeybees’ bodies that allows them to store protein reserves, make royal jelly, promotes the longevity of queen and “winter” bees, is a part of their immune system,...

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Fat Bees- Part 2

Fat Bees- Part 2 Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com First Published in September 2007 Now that we’re gaining an understanding of the role of vitellogenin in honeybee biology, how can we apply that knowledge to keep our bees healthier, to help them be more productive, and to improve the bottom line? by Randy Oliver The life of...

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Fat Bees – Part 3

Fat Bees – Part 3 Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com First Published in ABJ in November 2007 I’ve been focusing on the protein dynamics of the colony. But in order to encourage brood rearing, the colony also needs a nectar flow, or its equivalent. This brings us to the subject of the feeding of sugar syrup. Randy...

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Fat Bees – Part 4 Timing and Tummy Aches

Fat Bees – Part 4 Timing and Tummy Aches © Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com First Published in ABJ in December 2007   No matter how well your bees are fed, the benefit will be moot if they’re unable to digest it! Syrup Additives I mentioned last article that light syrup ferments quickly in warm weather, and...

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