Copper

[ROOKIE]

For some time now I have been doing trials with copper, and the effect it has on Varroa, so far it looks promising. This year I would like to do tests with copper paint (real copper) but unfortunately it cant be sourced in these parts.
                 Can anyone direct me to a supplier on the web,  I would appreciate any help.
     Jim

[Cindi]

Jim, you really are up to some interesting stuff, tell us more, hee, hee.  Someone on here may be able to tell you where to locate copper paint.  I know copper is some pretty powerful stuff.  Have a beautiful and wonderful day, love our great life.  Cindi

[Joseph Clemens]

Perhaps here: Copper Paint

[ROOKIE]

"Copper Alloy" not the real thing??   Cindi,  This is not new, Try putting a few strips of copper across the top bars of a hive and watch the v.mites fall.
Been there etc. now I want to paint the inside of a hive with copper.
                   Jim

[drobbins]

I am NOT recommending this
around boats in salt water you have to use some kind of anti-fouling paint to keep barnacles off the bottom
the paints use cuprous oxide as the active ingredient (a copper oxide)
top of the line is Pettit Trinidad

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/search.do?freeText=pettit+trinidad&page=GRID&engine=adwords!6456&keyword=pettit_trinidad

I have no idea if it would hurt bees

Dave

[wtiger]

Rather than using copper paint why not get a roll of copper foil and affix it to the inside of the box?  There are places online that you can order copper foil that's as thin as aluminum foil.  It should be relatively simple to apply to the inside of a hive body.

[hardtime]

rookie   did u see alot of mites fall when the copper strips were put on the top bars .was it alot  .want input on this test.          hardtime   VA.

[ROOKIE]

Hi Hardtime,
                  I would consider it a significant mite fall. I am not great at keeping records but i would say around 40/50 mites per day using 4 strips 8" X 1" Obviously depending on the level of infestation.  It requires a lot of further work ie the quantity of copper required, or the surface area for the bees to come into contact with, My understanding of it is, The copper ions and the iron ions of the mites react?   Is there a nuclear physcist n the house??
         Jim

[Paul Andersen]

I wonder if there would be a way use pennies for this?

[CBEE]

You can get copper flashing at home depot or Lowes or similar type place. Copper aint cheap right now. It brings enough per pound that people are actually breaking ito houses and ripping copper plumbing out of the walls!

[UtahBees]

I would consider it a significant mite fall. I am not great at keeping records but i would say around 40/50 mites per day

How many mites are falling in the hive that has no copper in it per day, if one particular hive has 40/50 with the copper?

It's a great test, and having them side-by-side to compare would be nice.

Regards,

UtahBees

[reinbeau]

You can get copper flashing at home depot or Lowes or similar type place. Copper aint cheap right now. It brings enough per pound that people are actually breaking ito houses and ripping copper plumbing out of the walls!

Around here they're stripping copper wire from railroad gates 

[Kirk-o]

Copper is just another treatment that dosen't work.Just think how much was spent on treating hives last year.Alot of money.Do treatments work?I don't think so.I don't think treatments work look at the losses each year look at the treatments each year look at the WIERD TREATMENTS people come up with in a attempt to handle MITES. Treatments make bees sick and the MITES GET RESISTANT.I think you need bees that get tolerant of mites and can live with them they ain't going away.Polluteing the hive the wax the bees is a False solution.I have fewer losses buy not treating than I ever had treating.Same with Michael Bush and Dee Lusby and others.But if you want to pollute the hive and the wax and the bees go ahead.But remember you are going to Make Mother Nature Mad Real Mad
kirko

[rdy-b]

http://www.dave-cushman.net/bee/cuguse.html                                                                                                   http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=200690                                                                               http://www.beekeeping.com/articles/us/cupric_salts.pdf           

[JP]

Do I smell the fragrance of sabotage? Perhaps so. My .02.

...JP