Sugar dusting method for varoa mite controll

Dowda method



THIS IS A SAFE AND EFFECTIVE WAY TO CONTROLL VARROA MITES IN HONEYBEE COLONIES
IT WORKS BY COVERING BEES IN SUGAR DUST WHICH CREATES PROBLEMS FOR MITES GRIPPING
TO BEES AND PROMOTES GROOMING AMONGST THE BEES WHICH KNOCKS MITES TO BOTTOM
OF HIVE TO BE REMOVED BY YOU.

THE ONLY DRAWBACKS I HAVE NOTICED ARE THAT IT IS NOT EASY TO APPLY
IN WET WEATHER AND UNSEALED BROOD MAY BE DAMAGED.
IT WILL ALSO NEED TO BE APPLIED WEEKLY FOR 4 WEEKS
LONGER IF MITES PERSIST

YOU WILL FIRST NEED A SCREENED BOTTOM BOARD AVAILABLE FROM DADANT
THIS DOES NOT WORK WELL OR POSSIBLY AT ALL WITHOUT IT
NOTICE CARDBOARD "TRAY" UNDER SCREEN AND ON TOP OF ORIGINAL BOTTOM BOARD

varroa screen fitted over original bottom


MOVE HIVE BODY BACK IN PLACE OVER SCREENED BOTTOM BOARD
NOTICE POWERED SUGAR PALE




hive body moved back onto screen

I DONT TRY USING A SIFTER I JUST USE HANDFULLS OF SUGAR YOU WILL BE TRYING TO COVER AS MANY
BEES AS POSIBLE AND HEAPING SUGAR ALONG FRAMES TO CREATE A AVALANCH AFFECT INSIDE
THE HIVE AS BEES MOVE AROUND THEY WILL KNOCK MORE SUGAR DOWN ON EACH OTHER
PROLONGING THE DUSTING AND INCREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS.

heavy dusting with powdered sugar


PLACE TOP BOX BACK ON AND DUST BEES IN TOP AS WELL I USE ABOUT 3/4 POUND OF SUGAR
PER TREATMENT PER HIVE


heavy dust top box as well

PUT LID BACK ON AND GIVE A FEW SMALL THUMPS ON LID WITH FIST OR HAMMER
IT SEEMS LIKE THIS HELPS SPREAD THE SUGAR

replace lid

SUGAR THAT FALLS THROUGH WITH MITES CAN BE REMOVED VIA THE TRAY
MITES COULD BE COUNTED AND REMOVED AFTER ONLY 15 MINUTES BUT WILL
CONTINUE TO DROP FOR HOURS

sugar can be removed with tray beneath screen