VSH Queens, hygenic bees and varroa

[Poppi]

Would like some input/feedback on thoughts to requeen hives struggling with varroa using VSH queens.  The varroa count was slightly affected for a very short time period using powdered sugar.  I tried ApiLife Var and still the mite levels were too high.  I would go with Oxalic Acid next but it's too soon having done the other treatments and too late this year.  I don't want to use chemicals but I don't want to lose colonies to varroa.

I know several folks agree the best thing would be bees that tolerate mites and fight them off naturally.  I have read some recent articles on VSH queens and hives showing some promising results.  It appears this area of apiculture is still under scrutiny and I wanted to see if anyone here has experience or knowledge working with VSH hives before I requeen.

Thanks,  John

[rdy-b]

 where are you going to get the queens--whos supplying them--RDY-B

[Michael Bush]

It certainly won't help this winter... and in my experience makes little difference.

[Poppi]

rdy-b    not sure yet...  there are breeder's in California but that is a little far for me...  I believe Long lane honey farms has been rearing hygienic queens or is at least working on them.  They are in south central Illinois.  It's just a thought and I'm trying to get some input from anyone who has had hygienic bees...  I read Russians have some of this trait or are more able to tolerate varroa...  and of course African's...   ain't going there 

John

[Poppi]

Michael,  yep...  I know it's too late but it is still warm here so I am going to powder sugar their little butts to knock down the varroa count.  There is very little brood now so I will powder 'em every 4 days for 16 days and do a 24 hour count in between to see if there is a lower count after each...  it may be too late anyway for this hive...  I'm seeing some DWV as well...

John

[FRAMEshift]

The VSH trait may help but remember that it is recessive and will be quickly diluted out if you open mate your queens.  To get a real benefit, you would have to continually import new VSH queens (or have enough VSH hives to saturate the drone congregation areas.)

[Poppi]

Good point FRAMEshift,  right now I only want to compare a hive with VSH and one without...  if there is a difference I may go with that and breed my own...  if not, I haven't lost anything...  I read a good article on this and I'm just curious...

John