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In this post I want to go over varroa treatment regimen. But before I do, I want to share another insight, this time from a local commercial beekeeper.
Similar to Zachary Lamas’ insight from the last post concerning drone population, mite load, and hive health, this insight pertains to worker brood population. It went like this: all spring and summer the bees have been raising a lot of brood. Because there is so much brood, the ratio of mites to 100 bees in a mite roll (he was doing an alcohol wash) stays well below the three mite threshold and hive health remains good. For a long time, it seems that everything is doing well.
Long about August, when brood production starts to taper off as nectar flow ceases and days start getting shorter (especially in our northern climates), that ratio changes dramatically and suddenly. Within a week or two the rolls will go from less than three to five, ten, or even twenty. This beekeeper’s conclusion is that, since there is less brood for mites to be in, they are now phoretic mites, riding around on adult bees and feeding on fat bodies that, being compromised, imperils individual adults as well as the colony health and longevity.
This all points, again, to the need to treat early—midseason. In the case of this commercial beekeeper, he will (next year. Beekeepers are farmers, they learn by experience.) probably treat when they pull the spring honey crop—around the end of June. This will knock the mite population back so that, when August comes, there is a greatly reduced population showing up in mite rolls and, of course, less mites to work their negative effects on a colony that is naturally lessening brood production and transitioning to a winter lifestyle.
Another accompanying reasonable conclusion: If you wait to treat till the mite count shows above 3 per 100 in a roll, it’s already later than is best. Which means we need to be treating prophylactically.
Ideally something like this (in southern Michigan. Make sensible adjustments for other areas of the nation.):
A formic product such as Formic Pro is particularly suitable since weather is cool. However oxalic vapor can be used in a 4 to 5 treatment regimen every 5-7 days can be successful.
Summer heat makes formic unadvisable unless you can catch a week of temperatures under 85 degrees. Oxalic vaporizing is probably the best choice but only if done in a 4 to 5 treatment regimen every 5-7 days. Another advantage in using oxalic over formic for this treatment is that the honey does not need to be removed.
Formic is a good choice if you can wait for cooler weather. If the colonies were treated in July, they may be able to wait untill the beginning of September for cooler weather. If the July treatment was missed, it would be good to do a regimen of oxalic vapor. If rolls are still showing higher than preferred mite counts, do a formic treatment in the beginning of September.
Preferably make this an oxalic vapor treatment and since they are broodless, one treatment is sufficient.
Missed the May and July treatments? Like much of life, start right now! And be extra diligent to make sure your treatment is effective by doing before and after mite rolls. Unlike early season treatments when there is some opportunity for flexibility, now time is of the essence and every day of delay translates into greater risk and likelihood of winter loss—exponentially.
In the above suggestions I have favored Formic and Oxalic. Other treatments can be used effectively, however, there seems to be more downsides.
If you haven’t treated for mites yet this season, you’re now fighting a fire—a three alarm fire. The sooner the better. Those mites are consuming that hive regardless what it might look like. And you, the keeper of the bees, are fighting for life. You no longer have time.
Don’t forget to feed heavily right now also! I’ll talk about that more next time.
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Product Pricing
Our products are priced for material, labor, overhead, and profitability. On our website, all product prices include a percentage to cover shipping costs in order to provide “free shipping” on most orders over $150. In our catalog, we do not bury the shipping expense in our product prices, and shipping costs are passed on in addition to the product costs. Due to fluctuating raw material costs, prices are subject to change without notice.
Payment Methods and Terms
Online checkouts accept all major credit cards through Stripe. A printable order form is also available. For mail-in or phone orders we accept US currency cash, money order, checks drawn from a US bank, or Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express cards. Please make checks payable to “Beeline.”
PRINTABLE ORDER FORM LINK
For mail-in and phone orders up to $500, we expect full payment before shipping. Over $500 we require 50% down payment before shipping, with the balance due within 30 days of the invoice date. After 30 days from the invoice date, the bill will be subject to a finance charge of 1.5% per month.
A fee of $25 will be charged for returned checks.
If an overpayment was made, we can either refund you or credit your account.
State Sales Tax
We are required to collect sales tax in the states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Dakota and Washington. If you are exempt from sales tax, we are required to file a signed tax exemption certificate. Please call or email us for that form.
Turn Around Time
Orders will be processed as quickly as possible. We will try our best to fulfill online orders within 2 business days and will notify you of any delays. Orders received after 12 noon will not be processed until the following business day. Skid-sized orders over 200 pounds may require up to a week or more, especially at peak season, which is generally January through June. Order early to ensure timely delivery.
Backorders
If your order contains out-of-stock items, we will contact you by phone or email with several options. We can ship your order without the backordered item and send the backordered item(s) separately, with additional shipping and handling charges. We can hold your order until the backordered product is available. Or you may choose to cancel that part of your order. We also have the option of filling your order in part or entirely from one of our other branches.
Limitations / Liabilities
We will be liable only for the purchase price which customers have paid for an item. We do not offer warranties, either expressed or implied, for products which we do not manufacture. Customer purchases glassware and wax foundation at their own risk. We cannot offer refunds on or exchanges for the following; Beeswax Foundation, Medication, Containers and Glassware or Bee Food. See shipping policy for further information for damaged and returned items.
Publishing Errors
We reserve the right to correct or adjust any price or product due to photographical or typographical errors.
Shipping Range
We ship online orders to all 50 states of the USA from the appropriate branch. Canadian customers may place orders by phone or email. We do not ship outside of the USA and Canada.
Free Shipping
On our website only, Free Shipping applies to most orders over $150 to the USA.
Pick Up Orders
Orders can be picked up at the nearest branch within store hours or by appointment. All orders picked up at a Beeline Branch receive a 10% discount from the website prices.
Michigan
Monday through Friday, 8:00 A.M. to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 5:00 P.M., EDT. We are closed for most major holidays.
Address: 20960 M-60, Mendon, MI 49072
Email: sales@beelinewoodenware.com
Phone: 269-496-7001
Washington
Monday through Friday, 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., PDT, Saturday pickup by appointment only. Hours are subject to change August through December. We are closed for most major holidays.
Address: 19019 Moon Road SW, Rochester, WA 98579
Email: beelineofwa@norcell.us
Phone: 360-280-5274
Shipping Charges
For online orders, all shipping costs are covered with product costs, providing “free shipping” for most orders over $150. For all orders under $150, and for all phone and mail-in orders, shipping and handling will be calculated and charged at checkout based on weight and zone from our nearest branch.
For pallet-sized orders placed by phone, email or mail, all freight costs will be calculated with LTL carriers, either directly with the LTL carrier or through an LTL broker, to find the best price. Miscellaneous additional shipping charges may occur for the following reasons:
Shipping Estimates
When providing a shipping estimate for small or large orders, we will do our best to accurately calculate. However, in some situations, the shipping costs can change. If the cost increases significantly from the cost you were originally quoted for the same product, we will contact you before shipping.
We must approve any items you wish to return. Please call the branch from which your order was shipped for verification. The product must be in as good a condition as you purchased it. Products must be returned to the original branch and must include the invoice number. Return shipping must be arranged through FedEx or UPS or delivered to your local Branch.
For all returned merchandise that was shipped accurately but is no longer wanted, the return shipping cost must be the customer’s expense. For all replacements for damaged items, or mistake corrections, return shipping costs will be covered by Beeline. No returns or exchanges may be made on Beeswax Foundation, Medication, Containers, Glassware or Bee Food.
All products shipped from our facilities are shipped F.O.B. and become the customer’s responsibility.
Missing Parts
With the best of efforts in our stock-picking, we can still miss parts. Please check all orders immediately. If something is missing, contact us within 10 days of the invoice date or we cannot be responsible for errors or discrepancies.
About Beeline
Beeline Apiaries and Woodenware, LLC, is a limited liability company registered in the State of Michigan. We along with our manufacturing partner, Beeline of Washington, are intent on providing our customers with a safe and happy experience.
Our website address is www.beelinewoodenware.com.
Should you need to Contact Beeline Apiaries and Woodenware, LLC, you may do so in one of the following ways:
E-mail: sales@beelinewoodenware.com
Call: 1-269-496-7001;
Website Contact Form: www.beelinewoodenware.com/contact
Send mail to:
Beeline Apiaries and Woodenware, LLC
20960 M-60 Mendon, MI 49072
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Changes to this Policy
This Privacy Policy is effective as of April 3, 2024. This Policy may be amended without prior notice. We encourage you to review this policy regularly to ensure you agree with the terms of ongoing use.
Call or email the branch nearest you to determine location eligibility. Visit our Locate a Dealer page to view a map of current Beeline dealers. If you are outside of 60 or 80 miles of an existing, protected Beeline dealer, you are likely eligible. Your nearest branch will be able to tell you if your nearest Beeline dealer is protected or not. If you are eligible, read our policy here thoroughly before deciding which level you would like to enter. Once decided, fill out the application form found in the policy document, and submit to your nearest branch. As soon as they accept your application, you are free to place your initial order. The total of this initial order will determine which level you are entering, and which discounts you receive.
To maintain your level, your total invoiced sales within 12 months (or if you have begun mid-season, we extrapolate your total based on your total sales in that time period) must exceed the Annual Total in the chart above. To move to the next higher level, your total invoiced sales to date must exceed the Annual Total of the higher level. For example, if you are a Worker Level Dealer, and wish to become a Queen Level Dealer, your total invoiced sales to date must exceed $30,000, to become a Queen dealer. This can happen anytime within the 12-month period.
Not able to reach the Drone Level, but still want to buy and resell? Sure! We will give you quantity pricing and you can resell as much as you want!
Please remember, all dealer discounts are taken off our low-volume pricing. Catalog quantities and discounts are disregarded. This pricing is usually the same as our catalog pricing, unless prices have changed mid-year.
Every year on November 1st, we will assess your dealership level, based on your total invoiced sales to date, and determine which level you will be in for the next year.
Read about pricing, advertising, production, shipping, placing orders, and dealership perks in our policy here.
We also strongly recommend associations, clubs, bee schools, etc. to pool their order for a “dealership” status. A primary objective of our dealership network is to cut shipping costs for the end customer, so any of these “dealership” methods helps everyone. Can you or someone you know fill a spot in our Dealership Map?