>Ants are very effective removing mites. I remember a study here in Finland
>that if you saw a few ants (small black) on the board under net you were
>loosing about 30 % of mites. We ended up using ant poison when making study.

Thanks.  I used drops for monitoring when we were commercial, but we always
controlled the ants in our yards.  Lately, as a hobbyist, I have been experimenting
with being less attentive to such things.

I have managed to prove to myself several times over that what i did routinely as a
commercial beekeeper was not without purpose.  It looks as if this may be another
thing to get back to managing. 

I notice these bees are cross and I am guessing that may be due to ant harassment,
also.  I'm seeing lots of ants.

I'd follow Dave's advice and put a deadout box on an ant hill, but I suspect my bees
will tell me soon enough.  There is no practical way I can keep them away from last
year's hives.

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