Varroatosis is one of the most common diseases in bees caused by a tick of varroa. For the prevention of invasive infection and its treatment, the most commonly used tool is “CAS-81”, which is created on the basis of plant elements, and can be made independently if desired. Read about the indications, contraindications and rules for using the medicinal mixture below.
Characterization and use in beekeeping of the drug "CAS-81"
Varroatosis is dangerous for adult bees and their brood, which is at the larval stage. The source of nutrition for the tick is the hemolymphatic tissue of honey bees and their larvae. As a result of the vital activity of the parasite in bees, a change in the functionality of all body systems of adults is observed and a complete stop of the growth of adults, which leads to the death of insects.
Due to the fact that there are literally several places around the world where the tick is not common, beekeepers are constantly forced to carry out preventive and therapeutic treatments aimed at stimulating the immunity of insects and destroying parasites.Did you know? One bee family has an average of 50,000 individuals.
The composition of the drug
The composition of the drug in question includes:
- wormwood, collected in two approaches - at the stage of vegetation and flowering;
- pine buds;
- water.
Externally, the finished substance is a brown liquid with a pronounced, pungent odor. It tastes bitter.
Action "KAS-81"
The drug has a pronounced immunomodulatory effect on the swarm. Contributes to the stimulation of oviposition - uterine productivity is increased by 35%, as well as the overall recovery of the entire hive. At the same time, the medicine acts as an insecticide on parasites.
When a bee enters the body, the feed is distributed over all organ systems. Due to the fact that the tick feeds on the hemolymph of the insect, there is a direct hit of esters and other decoction compounds in its body.
Due to this mechanism, a contact effect on parasites is provided throughout the entire period of feeding the bees with the drug. The plant components used in the composition of "CAS-81" have an insecticidal effect, stopping the development of the body of insects, which prevents their further reproduction.
Indications for use of the drug
The drug is intended for the prevention and treatment of:
- varroatosis;
- nosematosis.
"CAS-81" is used in relation to weakened, worn swarms as a stimulating egg laying and immunomodulating agents.
Rules of use and dosage
"CAS-81" is added to sugar syrup intended for top dressing in the autumn and spring periods. In the first case, top dressing is carried out from August 15 to August 20, in the second - immediately after a cleansing flyby when leaving wintering. And they produce it as follows. 1.5 kg of sugar are taken per 1 liter of water and the syrup is boiled.
Next, in a liter amount of syrup add 35 ml of decoction. For single-tier buildings with 12 frames, 5-6 liters of therapeutic feeding is enough. For multihull hives (2-3 hulls) and sun loungers, 10 l of top dressing takes. The volume of healing syrup (over 6 liters) is fed to bees in 2-3 approaches, adding liquid as it is consumed by insects.
The recipe for KAS-81
Before you start preparing a decoction, you need to prepare raw materials for it. Pine buds are harvested from February to March, when the trees are actively growing. Cut 3-4 cm of the upper part of the shoot on which the kidney is located. Wormwood is collected during periods of plant growth of green mass and flowering.
The collection of flowers should begin at the moment of the presence of umbrellas painted in yellow on the plants. They are cut along with tops and leaves. The collected material is dried in cool, shaded, well-ventilated areas.
Instead of bitter wormwood, you can use Sievers wormwood.
To 10 liters of water add:
- 900 g of wormwood harvested at the time of flowering;
- 50 g of wormwood collected during the growing season;
- 50 g of pine buds on a stem with needles.
All ingredients are put in boiling water. On low heat, the liquid can withstand at least 3 hours. After that, she is insisted in a warm place for 8 hours. Filter through gauze, folded in 5-7 layers. The finished infusion is mixed with sugar syrup in the proportion described above.
Video: Preparing an effective KAS-81 for bees
Using tinctures of red hot pepper
The composition of pepper tincture includes:
- water: 1 l;
- red hot peppers, dried: 50 g.
Prepare the tincture as follows:
- Grind the main ingredient with the seeds.
- Pour pepper mixture into a thermos.
- Pour 1 liter of boiling water, tightly close the lid.
- Insist a day.
It is recommended to be used for spraying bees tightly sitting on the frame. For one frame, the flow rate of the substance is 20 ml. To stimulate the rapid absorption of tinctures by insects, it is diluted in a small amount of sugar syrup. The solid residue of pepper from the burning tincture can be fed in combination with candi in the period that begins immediately after the spring flyby.
Side effects, contraindications, restrictions on use
"KAS-81" is an effective, completely harmless drug. It does not cause side effects, even if the standard dosage is exceeded. The only nuance of this tool is that it must be prepared immediately before use, since it is not subject to storage.
This can not be said about pepper tincture. Its dosage should be observed very strictly. It helps to increase the ability of the uterus to reproduce brood. In this regard, such spraying should not be used more than 5 times per season, otherwise the uterus and the bee swarm itself will wear out quickly.
Important! In the central and northern regions of Russia, it is necessary to refuse from spraying and feeding peppermint tincture during the formation of nests, which begins on August 15. Otherwise, there will be a late brood problem.
Shelf life and storage conditions
The drug in question is not stored, because all ethers and nutrients evaporate from it, providing its positive effect on bees. Dried plant ingredients can be stored in dry, well-ventilated, dark rooms for no more than 1 year.
The drug "KAS-81" is one of the most effective means providing bees with high immunity and protection against varroatosis, while not causing adverse reactions even when the dosage is 2 times exceeded. The main advantage of the drug is that it is easy to do at home.