Randy Said:
Since the mite population will continue to increase through the
broodrearing period, it would surprise me that it would *peak* in
spring.  I would expect the peak to occur in September.

I guess that this is a teachable moment, eh!. This list is a great one for 
discussions with members from all over the globe. Considerations should be 
given to locations and management practices before making generalization. 
In Western Canada, beekeepers use strips once a year, either spring or 
fall. At that time when we had KBV formic  was used as a supplement 
treatment to be used in the season when strips are not used. Additionally, 
Formic was commonly used for Tracheal mites and get few varroa based on 
their treatment type.   Having said that. If a colony treated with strips 
in the spring and not treated in the fall, the following spring mites will 
be high. Summer season is too short to have a peak in the fall.
 
Secondly; there is another management difference; beekeepers will start 
feeding bees pollen patties as early as late February. By the time it is 
spring your might level will build up and increase. So, Mite levels will 
respond to how many brood cycles developed during this time.

Thirdly, in these case where KBV was found, colonies were not in good 
shape. This means that varroa mite treatment failed.

The case was studied and investigated by people who have been in the 
apiculture field for long time. Sampling and testing was done in a 
government laboratory to avoid any tampering with samples.

Even though, it sounded bad at this time, I recall that many commercial 
beekeepers had good bees. I guess that is life "Bad things take over and 
get more attention".




Medhat


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