08/28/2026
Another Day of Beekeeping in the Books!
Today we completed treating all of our hives for Varroa mites using Varroxsan, an oxalic-acid treatment.
Varroa mites are one of the most serious threats facing honeybee colonies.
They attach themselves to developing and adult honeybees, feeding primarily on their fat body tissue.
Just as importantly, Varroa mites act as vectors for numerous honeybee viruses, transmitting viruses from one bee to another and potentially weakening the entire colony.
One of the reasons we use Varroxsan is that it can be applied while honey supers are on the hive when used according to the label.
Oxalic acid does not accumulate in beeswax, and Varroxsan provides a slow, extended release of oxalic acid for 56 days—covering approximately three Varroa mite brood cycles.
This extended treatment period is particularly important because Varroa mites reproduce inside capped brood cells.
As new honeybees emerge, the treatment continues working against the mites over multiple brood cycles.
As we work through the apiary, if we notice a hive needs some additional attention, we take care of it before moving on to the next one.
This particular hive had a higher number of Small Hive Beetles, so while we had it apart to apply the Varroxsan strips, we also added a Freeman Beetle Trap bottom board.
The Freeman bottom board replaces the hive's regular bottom board and uses an vegetable oil-filled tray beneath a screened floor.
Honeybees remain safely above the screen, while Small Hive Beetles that are chased down by the bees can fall through the screen and into the oil below, where they become trapped.
It's another tool we use to help the honeybees keep beetle populations under control.
And this hive was absolutely packed with honeybees!
Earlier this season, we harvested more than 100 pounds of honey from this hive—and it now has approximately another 60 pounds of late-season honey waiting to be harvested.
Healthy colonies require attention throughout the season, and sometimes one job in the apiary naturally leads to another.
Best Wishes,
Mary & Ed
E&M Gold Beekeepers
https://emgoldbeekeepers.com
