{"title":"Beequip","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"queen-isolation-cage-240","title":"Queen Isolation Cage 240","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFor brood breaks and healthy hive management.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAs varroa mites become resistant to miticides, and varroa re-invasion issues become more severe, beekeepers all over the world are desperately searching for alternative treatments. Brood breaks in conjunction with Oxalic Acid (OA) vaporization is extremely effective and low cost and is becoming a very popular option.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe purpose-built cages are made from food-grade Polypropylene.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSliding door on both sides.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe side openings in the grill are 4.2mm, same as a queen excluder.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutside dimensions:- 240mm x 29mm x 34mm high.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNurse bees can go in and out to care for the queen.\u003cbr\u003eTo release the queen, slide open a door on the cage and she will come out as soon as the hive is closed back up.\u003cbr\u003eThe cage is large enough to allow plenty of pheromone distribution, so the bees don’t try to supersede her.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePacked 100 per carton.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is recommended to cut a window out of a brood frame and fit the cage into the window. See photos.\u003cbr\u003eThe bees will secure it in place.\u003cbr\u003eThe frame can live permanently in the hive. Position it as an outer frame in the brood box when it has no queen enclosed.\u003cbr\u003eWhen the queen is inside, keep it near the middle of the brood box so she keeps warm and fed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is recommended to use a ¾ depth frame in a full depth brood box.\u003cbr\u003eThe bees will build drone comb underneath it.\u003cbr\u003eIf there are any mites in the hive, they will tend to go to these drone cells.\u003cbr\u003eWhen they are all capped, they can be easily scraped from the bottom of the frame and disposed of, mites and all. (Chooks go crazy on them!)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome beekeepers fit the cage between 2 frames in horizontal position instead of vertical.\u003cbr\u003eSee photo with plastic frames. The comb is scraped back to the foundation.\u003cbr\u003eThere is a question whether this way allows enough pheromone to be released but it seems to be okay.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are many applications for this cage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVarroa control by creating a brood break then vaporizing with Oxalic Acid. (OA)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSwarm Control\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTo maximise a honey crop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhen requeening with cells.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFor overwintering.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e 1. \u003cstrong\u003eVarroa Control.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eFrom mid-Spring to mid-Summer, 75% of the varroa mites in a hive can be breeding inside the capped brood cells and are protected from most varroa treatments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy creating a brood break, all the varroa mites are exposed and can be killed with 1 – 3 cents worth of Oxalic Acid by Vaporization.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/beequip.nz\/collections\/instantvap-products\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cu\u003eInstantVap\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e Vaporizer is very quick and efficient for this application.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProcedure: -\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCage the queen for 18 days.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRelease her and wait 6 days.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThen you will have 2 days where there will be no capped brood.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVaporize the beehive with OA and kill almost every varroa mite inside.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost commercial queen breeders will mark queens for no extra charge. \u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eThat makes them very easy to find to allow for quick caging and very low cost varroa control.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e 2. \u003cstrong\u003eSwarm Control.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eCage the queen in Spring to control swarming and varroa mite populations.\u003cbr\u003eThere are 3 stages that usually precede swarming.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuild excess amounts of drone brood.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuild queen cell cups.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdd eggs to cell cups to produce new queens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe procedure is best performed during the first or second stage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCage the queen for 18 days.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRelease her and wait 6 days.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThen you will have 2 days where there will be no capped brood. Vaporize the beehive with OA and kill almost every varroa mite inside.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e18 days with no eggs makes the bees forget about swarming for a while.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is important to time this procedure to maximise field bee numbers at the start of the honey flow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e 3. \u003cstrong\u003eTo maximise a honey crop.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eSome honey flows can be very valuable but occur for an intense \u0026amp; brief period of only 2 or 3 weeks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo maximise the crop, cage the queen 2 or 3 days before the start of the expected honey flow. This allows for the following: -\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe queen excluder can be removed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e8 days after caging, there will be no brood to feed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMore bees get involved in field duties to maximise the crop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLess food and pollen required in the brood nest.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVery few foragers collect pollen. They focus on the honey crop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNo chance of getting brood in the honey supers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe honey crop can then be removed, queen released, and the hive can be vaporized with OA to kill virtually all the varroa mites in the hive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e 4. \u003cstrong\u003eRequeening with cells.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePut old queen into the cage when adding a queen cell. Check hive 24 days later to see if there is a new laying queen. If not, the old queen can be let out to continue laying. If there is a good new queen, the old queen can be removed. There is likely to be no capped brood so the hive can be vaporized with Oxalic Acid to kill virtually every varroa mite in the hive.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e5.\u003cstrong\u003e Over Winter.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eBeehives in good condition in Autumn will greatly benefit with a brood break in the winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you have hives in a location where this doesn’t happen, you can do it with an isolation cage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bees that hatch out after you cage the queen will live happily till the next batch of brood arrives several months later, after the brood break period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is all conditional to the bees being healthy and having enough of them at the time of caging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe queen can be caged for 3 to 4 months without any detrimental effects to her health or performance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e24 days after caging, there will be no capped brood and the hive can be vaporized with OA.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf done with the correct technique, it will kill virtually every varroa mite in the beehive. (There is no capped brood for them to shelter in.)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnother treatment one week later is recommended to wipe out any possible varroa mite remnants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVarroa mites can potentially turn up from stray bees from other colonies, but they cannot breed when there is no brood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe temperature in the cluster will drop from 34°C to around 22°C to 28°C. With the lower temperature and no brood, there are significant advantages such as: -\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA lot less honey required in the winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA lot less pollen is required.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe worker bees and the queen live a lot longer because they have very little work to do.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThere is less condensation in the beehive.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe timber stays dryer and lasts longer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOnly one box of bees is required over winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEasier to keep secure in case of storms or floods.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo varroa strips will be required in the beehive unless you have massive varroa mite re-invasion issues from nearby colonies.\u003cbr\u003eCaging the queens in first week of April and releasing in last week of July worked very well on some trial beehives in the Nelson region in 2023. (NZ)\u003cbr\u003eThe queens went crazy and laid a lot of eggs very fast. A month later, there were lots of beautiful big frames of very healthy brood!\u003cbr\u003eWhen the queens are released, the hive can be vaporized with OA so that if there are any varroa mites present, they are virtually all killed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/4696\/files\/20240120_181544_1.jpg?v=1742845779\" alt=\"\" width=\"342\" height=\"256\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eExample of a cage in a plastic frame secured with SIKA MS bond.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnother Queen Isolation Cage option is the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/beequip.nz\/products\/queen-cage-frame?_pos=1\u0026amp;_sid=a848a5933\u0026amp;_ss=r\u0026amp;variant=7045516525629\"\u003eTechnoset Queen Cage Frame\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003cbr\u003eIt takes the place of a frame and works on all the same principles that are listed above.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Beequip NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43202852978747,"sku":"760-0240","price":7.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0653\/5030\/3803\/files\/1.QueenIsolationCage240.png?v=1770635490"},{"product_id":"filters-for-respiratory-mask","title":"Filters for Respiratory Mask","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is a pair of Cartridges to suit our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/beequip.nz\/products\/half-face-respiratory-mask\"\u003eHalf\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/beequip.nz\/products\/full-face-mask\"\u003eFull Face \u003c\/a\u003e Respiratory Masks\u003cbr\u003eThey are specifically for protecting you against Organic Acid Vapour or Acid Gas - Perfect for Vaporising Oxalic Acid or using with Formic Acid\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe service life of any acid gas cartridge filter is affected by many factors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReplace both the filters: -\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhen the expiry date stamped on the sealed packet has elapsed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOnce opened, maximum use time is 6 months (even if not used). The carbon will absorb contaminants from the general environment.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhen contaminant can be detected by smell or taste.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeet standards and approvals AS\/NZS 1716:2012\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Beequip NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43202853011515,"sku":"751-0230","price":90.64,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0653\/5030\/3803\/files\/Filters.png?v=1770633863"},{"product_id":"full-face-mask","title":"Full Face Respiratory Mask Package","description":"\u003cp\u003eGet full face protection with this comfortable and safe face-mask.\u003cbr\u003eThis will give you the best \u003cspan\u003eface \u0026amp; lung protection w\u003c\/span\u003ehen using a Vaporizer with Oxalic Acid.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis mask will also give very good face \u0026amp; lung protection when working with Formic Acid.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a complete kit including a pair of Organic Vapour \/ Acid Gas Cartridges to suit.\u003cbr\u003eAlso included is a pair of FOGSTOP optix wipes and a handy container to store the mask and keep it clean.\u003cbr\u003eYou can get \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/beequip.nz\/products\/filters-for-respiratory-mask\"\u003espare filter cartridges here.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: The service life of any acid gas cartridge filter is affected by many factors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReplace both the filters: -\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhen the expiry date stamped on the sealed packet has elapsed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOnce opened, maximum use time is 6 months (even if\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003enot used). The carbon will absorb contaminants from\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ethe general environment.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhen contaminant can be detected by smell or taste.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eComes in Medium and Large - both are adult size, the large has slightly more room in the mask.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSilicone material\u003cbr\u003eReusable\u003cbr\u003eAnti fog treatment on lens\u003cbr\u003eAnti scratch lens\u003cbr\u003eLow breathing resistance\u003cbr\u003eHigh filtration efficiency filters\u003cbr\u003eProtects against airborne contaminants\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Masks are tested and approved to meet the following standards:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCertified AS\/NZS 1716:2012\u003cbr\u003eCertified CE Standard EN143:2000 P3 R\u003cbr\u003eCertified CE Standard EN14387:2004+A1:2008\u003cbr\u003eCertified CE Standard EN149:2001+A1:2009\u003cbr\u003eCertified CE Standard EN143:2000 P2 R\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Beequip NZ","offers":[{"title":"Medium","offer_id":43202853044283,"sku":"751-0210-M","price":251.3,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large","offer_id":43202853077051,"sku":"751-0210-L","price":251.3,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0653\/5030\/3803\/files\/FullFace.png?v=1770634375"},{"product_id":"hobbyist-oxalic-acid-glycerine-package","title":"Oxalic Acid - 2kg","description":"\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2 kg of Oxalic Acid (cleaning supplies)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"170\" data-end=\"249\"\u003eA powerful and versatile organic compound, \u003cstrong data-start=\"213\" data-end=\"228\"\u003eOxalic Acid\u003c\/strong\u003e is commonly used in:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"253\" data-end=\"328\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"253\" data-end=\"294\"\u003eRejuvenating weathered or grey timber\u003c\/strong\u003e by restoring its natural colour\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"331\" data-end=\"432\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"331\" data-end=\"365\"\u003eRemoving rust and metal stains\u003c\/strong\u003e from a variety of surfaces including concrete, wood, and fabrics\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"434\" data-end=\"571\"\u003eIdeal for use in woodworking, metal restoration, and general cleaning applications. Always handle with care and follow safety guidelines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIndustrial-grade strength\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"605\" data-end=\"661\"\u003eEffective on hardwoods, softwoods, and rusted surfaces\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"664\" data-end=\"712\"\u003eUse with appropriate PPE (gloves, goggles, etc.)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Beequip NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43202853175355,"sku":"751-0022","price":25.3,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0653\/5030\/3803\/files\/ScreenShot2026-02-09at9.07.41pm.png?v=1774822778"},{"product_id":"stainless-steel-queen-excluder-with-ss-rim","title":"Stainless Steel Queen Excluder with SS Rim","description":"\u003cp\u003eStainless Steel Queen Excluder with 0.4mm thick Stainless Steel Rim. High quality and built to last.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA lot better quality that the common galvanised steel excluders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKind to the bees! The smooth stainless steel is gentle on their wings and won't oxidise like galvanised steel excluders. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe excluder is made from 304 grade stainless steel and is the threaded wire style.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDimensions: 506mm x 406mm x 4mm thick.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Beequip NZ","offers":[{"title":"8 Floors","offer_id":43278459895867,"sku":"750-0513","price":30.8,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10 Floors","offer_id":43278459928635,"sku":"750-0514","price":30.8,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0653\/5030\/3803\/files\/750-0513.2.png?v=1770635703"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0653\/5030\/3803\/collections\/Beequip_NZ_logo.jpg?v=1773370603","url":"https:\/\/premiumbeekeepingsupplies.com.au\/collections\/beequip.oembed","provider":"Premium Beekeeping Supplies","version":"1.0","type":"link"}