Varroa treatment time again ...

I gave each of our colonies a MAQS treatment to help reduce the varroa load. By killing the majority of the varroa mites, this will stand the bees in better stead for surviving winter in a reasonably healthy state

But wow! That stuff REALLY is strong! No wonder you have to stand down wind during application to avoid inhalation of the fumes. Couldn't help but notice a few bees died as a result of the treatment as was predicted in the application instructions. I think I'll stick to Apiguard in future. However, the dead bees were a protein source for the wasps and I guess that will have kept them from trying to attack the hives for a while.