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Mite Control with a Fogger?

41K views 74 replies 18 participants last post by  Gypsi 
#1 ·
I saw this video online and was wondering what you all might think of this method of mite control? Could it be that simple? Is it effective? What harm, if any, does it do to the bees?

[video=youtube_share;lcy-cozD7VQ]http://youtu.be/lcy-cozD7VQ[/video]
 
#3 ·
I bought a fogger and I bought the oil----BUT ---no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get the fogger to work.
so I have mineral oil and a fogger taking up room in my shed, teasing me every time I walk past them (frequently) but nothing more than that. :dash1:
 
#4 ·
I like the fatbeeman videos. He's seems like a good ole boy. Yes, that looks like a great idea. Have you found a place to purchase the smoker? I found the "black fog" at Home Depot: http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...=10053&langId=-1&keyword=fogger&storeId=10051 and this at Lowes: http://www.lowes.com/pd_39120-1306-...=1&currentURL=&facetInfo=&state=R#reviews_tab but from reading the reviews at Lowes, folks don't like this version and refer to the old version (fatbeeman's?) being better. I found the "Burgess" model that fatbeeman uses at Menards for $59 http://www.menards.com/main/lawn-ga...e-powered-insect-fogger/p-1480093-c-10118.htm
 
#5 ·
Dave,
I've got what looks to be the exact model smoker he is using at home already. I've actually got an electric on and a propane powered one similar to the one listed on menards site.

efmesch said:
I bought a fogger and I bought the oil----BUT ---no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get the fogger to work.
Would it not light? or would the mineral oil not fog? Or both?
 
#8 ·
Papakeith asked: Would it not light? or would the mineral oil not fog? Or both?
Efmesch answers: I couldn't get it to light The hole in the "button" seems to me to be too small and not enough propane got through to maintain a flame. Of course, no flame. no fog. To replace the "button" I'd have to go back to Menards--that's not in my present schedule. What do you have to suggest to increase the size of the hole?
 
#9 ·
Microphone Tool Camera accessory Gas Cylinder
What part are you calling the button? I light mine through the mesh screen where there is a coil of tubing toward the end of the screened barrel.

Font Parallel Auto part Engineering Technology
Here is a diagram of the fogger's innards. I light it where the burner and the coil intersect.
 

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#10 ·
If I recall correctly, it's inside the burner assembly. It's night here now. I'll try to get a look at it tomorrow morning---maybe I'll even be able to get a picture or two for the sake of illustration.
 
#11 ·
Amazon have the best deals on these.

Never thought about bee use though , my neighbor has one for mosquitoes, which I convinced him not to use anymore , cause the bees are so close.

He only has used it once this summer, after sundown when we were having a cookout
 
#12 ·
Measuring instrument Gas Cylinder Tool Machine
Okay, here's my fogger.
I started taking it apart to expose its innards and removed the front nozzle and the protective screen. Then I decided to give it another "chance". Put it back together and tried to light it. It took a few attempts but it seems to have taken. No great impressive heat, but at that point I said to myself (as some other beekeepers on this forum have confessed to doing to themselves :lol:), "before pulling the whole thing apart now, give it another try". So my fogger is on "hold" for the moment. I won't have "bee time" to get to giving it a real try until later next week, but I'll get to it and report on the results.
"Unfortunately" (actually very fortunately) during my last inspection, checking for varroa last week, my hives seemed to be pretty clean (I used check mite strips during the winter) so even if I do get to give them a fogging, I won't be able to report on its efficacy. But we'll chalk it up to learning, to "preventative" medicine of the non-poisonous kind.
 

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#13 ·
I bought one from Menards as well. Talking to Fatbeeman he says to treat every 2 weeks for mite control. Never use one that has been used with poisons. I have not seen mites nor have I used the powder sugar to see if I have. But, I will start today with treatments to control if I do.
 
#14 ·
Well, my story continues....Yesterday my grandson came to visit his hives nearby and insisted that I start treating against varroa. I told him about my fogger and, to make a long story short, we took it apart again, and, using a sewing needle and a few delicate raps with a hammer, increased the size of the gas release orifice. WHOOPIE! The fogger lit and I was able to treat my hives.
I followed fat beeman's instruction video and all went well. I hope to fog them regularly for a few weeks and will get back to this thread to report on the results. By the way, I don't have (so I didn't use) thymol, just mineral oil.
 
#17 ·
After washing it out, would you be willing to drink soup from that bowl?

Besides, it's not just the plastic bowl that is in contact with the poison. You've got the pump and all its insides plus the coil through which the vapor moves. I would be very cautious about cleaning it out and assuming that all residues of poison are gone. I don't know what cleaning agent would be really effective but, IF I were willing to try it, I would only do it after having tested it out on some other insects. Spray it on something like flies or mosquitos and see that they AREN'T killed before trying it on bees--and then, not your best hive.
Actually, flies and mosquitoes might not be sensitive enough to serve as a good testing organism. They are resistant to almost everything. Minute residues that might not have any influence on them might be catastrophic for bees.
 
#18 ·
I gave my bees their second fogging today. It took longer to get in and out of uniform than it took to fog them. I plan on fogging at least twice a week for the next month and then I'll investigate the insides of drone brood in the hives.--At least that is my intention----:roll:
 
#20 ·
Hey Iddee; mebbee you just aren't a good judge of how badly that stuff affected yu!:lol:

Dad's favorite bug killer was sugar of lead (lead arsenate) and I was the pack spray donkey so I know I ingested lots of it.
One good thing about it is that I no longer have to worry about "dieing young":wink:
 
#22 ·
I've ingested my fair share of different herbicides and insecticides over the years as well. Still, I'm not sure I want to take the chance that I can clean out this device to the extent that I'll be comfortable with.

The active ingredient in the insecticide I use is d-Phenothrin or a synthetic version of pyrethrins found in chrysanthemum flowers.

Here's what the MSDS has to say on the matter:
[h=3]Can d-phenothrin affect birds, fish, or other wildlife?[/h] d-Phenothrin is practically non-toxic to birds, but very highly toxic to fish and other aquatic animals. d-Phenothrin is highly toxic to honey bees.

If I do try this with the fogger I have, I wouldn't try it on a good hive. Maybe on a nuc as a test, but that won't be until next year.
For the 50$ or so the fogger costs, I'd be more comfortable just getting a new unit and dedicating it to it's new purpose.
 
#23 ·
Just for the record, I looked up a few (research) articles on using foggers against varroa---they weren't too encouraging but they didn't report on how frequently they made the application. I'm going into this with feelings of some reservations, but am willing to take the risk in the hopes that I can do without the strong chemicals that are in current use.
Papakeith, if my insecitcide affected mind recalls correctly, when I bought my fogger in Menards almost three years ago, it cost about $70. Even so, I vote with you. It's worth buying one dedicated specifically to non-poisonous use with bees.
 
#24 ·
I'll be fogging mine this week. Doing it on every other weekend schedule. I want everything natural in my hive. Diatomaceous earth around and under hive to control insects. http://youtu.be/Cyjs0RRI3xc Cinnamon sprinkled around the inner cover to control ants. And Fat Beemans small hive beetle traps http://youtu.be/h_KDPp8H6PU
 
#26 ·
I confess--I didn't. I do know that I have varroa, as evidenced from drone cells I opened showing mites (not many) inside. So far I have fogged three times. I plan on fogging at least another three times (to cover at least one mpnth) before I examine drone brood and see what, if any numbers of mites are present.
 
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