Fir oil from ticks: processing and treatment of bees

Fir oil for bees has a disinfectant, anti-inflammatory and stimulating effect. For this reason, apiary owners are increasingly paying attention to this product, using it to treat bee colonies and prevent diseases. It contains biologically active substances.

The use of fir oil in beekeeping

Fir oil is a natural remedy that has a beneficial effect on the physico-chemical properties of the environment and has a positive effect on the health of bees. It purifies the air, neutralizes pollution, and also serves as an antiseptic. It is used to treat diseases such as varroatosis and acarapidosis, as well as for feeding. The fresh coniferous aroma characteristic of the composition has a beneficial effect on the general condition of bee colonies, and the medicinal substances released with steam serve as good means of preventing diseases.

Composition and value

Fir trees grow in the Far East, China, Korea, Mongolia, some European countries and North America. Needles and young shoots of the plant are used to obtain oil. They are steam distilled.

Fir oil is a greenish or yellowish liquid with a pronounced lemon-mint aroma. It contains:

• bisabolene;
• camphene;
• phytoncides;
• from kadin;
• myrrh;
• limonene.

Despite the availability and variety of various preparations on the modern market, essential oils, including fir, are in great demand. This is due to the natural origin and many useful properties:

• immunostimulating;
• antiseptic;
• anti-inflammatory;
• antiviral;
• anesthetizing;
• cleansing.

When is fir oil used to treat bees

In the Krasnodar Territory, experts conducted a study, the purpose of which was to trace how fir oil affects the development of bee colonies, as well as the egg laying of queens. Gauze swabs impregnated with this agent were placed on the upper bars of the central frames. They took 1 ml of the substance per street. The procedure was carried out 4 times during April. It turned out that the substance increases the food excitability of the larvae, they grow faster. And the egg-laying rate of queens increases by an average of 20%. All this leads to the growth of bee colonies, a more intense summer, and productivity increases. Insects give more honey.

Thus, the use of fir oil for bees helps apiary owners to solve several problems at once:

• improve the productivity of bee colonies;
• increase oviposition and brood;
• increase the resistance of bees to diseases;
• improve performance.

Scientists have found that the effect of fir oil begins to manifest itself after the biologically active components included in its composition begin to enter the respiratory system of the bee. In order to prevent diseases, this composition can be enriched with top dressing.

It is better to use a natural composition. It can be distinguished by its characteristic rich smell.

Treatment of bees with fir oil from acarapidosis

The defeat of acarapidosis poses a serious threat to the hive. Insects cannot cope with the disease on their own, they need human help. One of the effective methods of treatment is treatment with fir oil.

The causative agent of the disease is the Acarapis woody mite, which lives and multiplies in the respiratory tract of bees, contaminating them with poisonous products and causing hemorrhages. This poisons the body, leads to a lack of oxygen, paralysis of the pectoral muscles, which affects the functioning of the wings.

Acarapidosis can be treated with fir oil. The tool solves several problems:

• destroys ticks;
• disinfects;
• relieves inflammation;
• improves the general condition of the bees.

For beekeepers, it is important that fir oil is safe for bees and helps insects no less effectively than drugs. To carry out the treatment with a folk remedy from fir, perform the following steps:

1. The nest is carefully wrapped with polyethylene.
2. A small hole is left in the lower notch, about 1 cm.
3. The upper notch is covered.
4. They take a swab from gauze, lower it into fir oil.
5. Place it on the central frame, to the upper bars.
6. Processing is carried out 3 times, with an interval of 5 days.

Fir oil against varroatosis of bees

Varroa is a disease that occurs as a result of infection of individuals, and then of entire families and apiaries with varroa mites. These insects with flat brown bodies live on the bodies of queen bees, bees and drones. Their source of nutrition is hemolymph. With a serious infection, ticks can be seen on dead individuals without magnifying devices.

If infection with varroatosis is suspected, before the spring flyby, it is necessary to take 2-3 bees and dead bees for analysis in the laboratory

Signs of the disease in bees can be:

• slow development;
• weak, small bees whose wings can be deformed;
• the appearance of undeveloped pupae in the hive;
• the appearance of brownish plaques in adult insects;
• restless behavior of bee colonies in winter.

Fir oil in the treatment of varroatosis is effective. Its wood, needles and cones contain phytoncides in large quantities. These are natural compounds that have anti-acaricidal properties. In addition, phytoncides are known for playing the role of natural antibiotics.

How to treat bees with fir oil, demonstrates the video.

Rules for processing bees and hives with fir oil

The hives must be handled properly. Experienced beekeepers act like this:

1. Carry out the procedure in the spring, before the first flight. You can focus on the air temperature, it should exceed +15 degrees.
2. Bees are treated at least 2 times, at intervals of 8 to 10 days.
3. The same procedures are carried out in the autumn. Their number and intervals are similar.
4. Another 2-3 treatments are planned for the summer, for the second half of June. At the same time, the air temperature should be kept within the range of +15 to +30 degrees.
5. They work in the evening, after the return of flying bees.
6. One or more frames are taken out, the rest are carefully pushed apart.
7. Cut off the brood of drones.
8. Paper is placed on the bottom, which is pre-lubricated with petroleum jelly. It is changed every morning. Paper collects parasites that have fallen off the bodies of bees.
9. Take parchment, sprinkle with fir oil. Its volume depends on the number of families. Calculate 1-2 ml for each bee colony.
10. Turn it over so that the processed layer looks down.
11. They put parchment over the stern frames, cover it from above.
12. The gates are closed for a few hours. It is important not to forget to open them on time.
13. The impregnated sheet is not immediately taken out. Its action continues for 3 more days. At this time, it is placed in the hive.

Fir oil is a folk healing method. But he managed to prove his effectiveness. In large beekeeping farms, it has been used since the 80s of the last century. The method is based on feedback on the use of fir oil by old, experienced beekeepers.

Preventive measures

In order to prevent infection with ticks, it is necessary to properly care for them, as well as take a number of preventive measures. Among them:

• treat the hives with fir oil in the spring and autumn months to increase the immunity of insects;
• set apiaries as far as possible from dirty water bodies and farms where cattle are kept;
• reject honeycombs in time;
• if necessary, immediately perform tests;
• disinfect hives and inventory;
• prepare families for winter.

Conclusion

Fir oil for bees is a natural remedy that has demonstrated its effectiveness, which helps to fight various diseases of bees and serves as a good prevention. It can be combined with chemicals if necessary. An important advantage of the natural composition is its ability to improve the resistance of insects to negative external factors.