How are tick plates applied to bees in the spring? - briefly
In early spring, beekeepers place thin metal tick plates on the inner walls of the hive, positioning them close to brood frames so that mites climbing from bees become trapped. After a short exposure, the plates are removed and disposed of, lowering the mite population before the colony’s growth accelerates.
How are tick plates applied to bees in the spring? - in detail
During the first weeks of flowering, beekeepers introduce acaricide plates to suppress Varroa destructor populations before brood expansion. The procedure follows a fixed sequence.
First, select plates impregnated with a proven active ingredient (e.g., amitraz or fluvalinate). Verify expiration dates and store them in a cool, dry place until use. Record the product batch for traceability.
Second, equip personal protective equipment: gloves, goggles, and a mask to avoid direct contact with chemicals. Prepare a clean, well‑ventilated work area near the apiary.
Third, open the hive gently to expose the central frames. Remove the queen‑less supers if present, leaving only the brood and honey frames. This minimizes disturbance of the colony’s temperature regulation.
Fourth, insert the plates as follows:
- Place the plate on a frame that already holds a brood comb, aligning the treated side toward the interior of the hive.
- Slide the plate between two adjacent frames, ensuring it contacts the outer surface of the comb without crushing cells.
- Secure the plate with a thin strip of wax or a small piece of wooden spacer to prevent movement during bee traffic.
- Repeat the insertion on every third frame, creating a regular pattern that forces foragers to encounter the treated surface repeatedly.
Fifth, close the hive, restore the entrance, and monitor the colony for 24 hours. Observe for any abnormal bee mortality; if excessive deaths occur, remove the plates immediately and ventilate the hive.
Sixth, maintain the treatment for the prescribed period, usually 4–6 weeks. Replace plates according to the manufacturer’s schedule, typically every 2 weeks, to sustain effective concentration of the acaricide.
Finally, record observations: mite drop counts from bottom boards, brood health, and honey production. Use these data to adjust future applications and to confirm that the spring treatment achieved the target reduction in mite infestation.