15/02/2025
Sadly the dark blue squares around us keep shrinking - which means varroa mite is now confirmed to be in several areas of the Highlands ☹️
So if you have bees in the Highlands what do you need to do?
First it’s critical to regularly test your hives (every 4 weeks) with an alcohol wash and then start treatment if mites are found (if the level is above treatment threshold).
Prepare as much as possible by reading and learning all about varroa and treatment options.
Reach out to other bee keepers and the SHAA club for advice. Local knowledge and sharing ideas will be so helpful.
It’s so important to be able to do an alcohol wash correctly so get this skill perfected asap.
Check out the DPI website and all the training info and videos they have, it’s such a good resource.
Longer term we should accept the next couple of years will be the hardest with mite re-infestation at its highest, and our skills and knowing what works for our area at its lowest… so no doubt there will all be mistakes and setbacks we can learn from.
