Bob Harrison <[log in to unmask]> wrote: >Especially if done on a regular basis. Especially if his FGMO is laced with >thymol ( common practice these days). Hello Bob! I agree, using FGMO does make ones success with small cell suspect! And further more, even applying these things in a non regular basis effects varroa levels for several years, serving to disguise ‘actual colony performance‘. >I NEVER saw a Russian,varroa tolerant or smr hybrid hive I could not find >varroa or tracheal mites in in fall. Me either, and in the Spring also. IMO, we need to come to the realization that it is OK to see a few mites. In the spring, state inspectors are never satisfied until they have spent enough time in my colonies to spot a few mites. Required was the 10% inspected for my queen permit, but I was more than happy to let the State Apiarist inspect every colony! What I do NOT what to see is a colony exhibiting stress or pressure at the colony level or performance level because of the mites, a few mites and NO pressures I do not care much about. Dee Lusby will tell you you can find >varroa in her hives but not a problem. Dann Purvis will say you can find >varroa in his lines. Charlie Harper will say you can find varroa in his >Russian bees. You can find varroa in my bees also! It is wonderfully refreshing to see honest breeders admitting this fact, this is a credit to the industry! Yes Virginia, Mites can exist in out-performing colonies. :) >Varroa once they arrive will not be controlled completely even with >choumaphos or fluvalinate. Why do we have a zero tolerance for mites in the industry? IMO, Zero tolerance would be better off directed towards bad performing colonies. A goal of developing mite resistant colonies that keep varroa numbers to a level low enough so as to permit the colony to be productive and outperform is certainly good enough for me. Best Wishes, Joe -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l for rules, FAQ and other info ---