When to place plates for tick control on bees? - briefly
Install tick‑control plates just before the colony begins brood rearing, typically in early spring when the queen starts laying eggs, and replace them after the first major brood cycle is completed. This timing aligns plate activity with peak mite reproduction, maximizing efficacy.
When to place plates for tick control on bees? - in detail
Optimal timing for installing tick‑control plates on honeybee colonies depends on the biology of the target tick species, the seasonal activity of the bees, and environmental conditions that affect both insects.
The first critical factor is the emergence period of the tick larvae. Plates should be positioned before the peak of larval emergence, typically when ambient temperatures consistently exceed 10 °C (50 °F) and humidity is above 60 %. This period usually occurs in early spring for Varroa destructor and late summer for Acarapis woodi. Placing plates too early, before larvae are active, results in low capture rates; placing them too late allows many ticks to infest the brood before they encounter the devices.
Second, consider the brood cycle of the bees. The most effective deployment coincides with a strong brood-rearing phase, when worker bees are actively cleaning and moving within the hive. For Apis mellifera, the main brood-rearing season spans from the first major nectar flow in spring through to the final flow in early autumn. Installing plates at the start of this interval ensures that foraging and nurse bees will encounter the traps repeatedly, increasing removal efficiency.
Third, account for climatic variables that influence both tick mobility and plate efficacy. High humidity (≥ 70 %) enhances the adhesion of ticks to the plate surface, while excessive heat (> 35 °C) can reduce tick activity. Monitoring local weather forecasts and choosing a window of moderate temperature and sustained moisture maximizes trap performance.
A practical schedule for most temperate regions is:
- Early spring (March–April) – Install plates before the first major brood peak; verify placement after the first temperature rise above 10 °C.
- Mid‑season (June–July) – Conduct a second installation or replace plates if they show wear; this aligns with the second brood surge.
- Late summer (August–September) – Add plates for species whose larvae emerge later in the year; remove them before the onset of winter to prevent colony stress.
Additional recommendations:
- Inspect plates weekly; replace any that become clogged or degraded.
- Record tick capture counts to assess control efficacy and adjust timing in subsequent years.
- Combine plate usage with other integrated pest‑management methods, such as brood interruption or chemical treatments, for comprehensive control.
Following this detailed timing framework ensures that tick‑control plates are positioned when both tick activity and bee brood dynamics create optimal conditions for capture, thereby reducing infestations while minimizing disruption to the colony.