Hi Aaron, John and others
 
Well, actually I'm on the other side of the border in Ontario...;)
 
I've never done an "ether roll", although I'm familiar with the procedure.
Since there weren't a lot of these deformed winged bees (in fact, out of the 7
or 8 colonies I looked at, I only saw 2  deformed bees), I doubt if it's an
infestation.  I'll be putting the Apistan strips in soon and also giving the
Mineral Oil a try.
Thanks for confirming my suspicions...:)
 
Ian Watson    [log in to unmask]
real estate agent     gardener    baritone
beekeeper---> 11 colonies and counting.
 
----------
> From: Aaron Morris <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Funny looking bees!
> Date: Thursday, October 02, 1997 3:22 PM
>
> > From:         Ian Watson <[log in to unmask]>
> > Subject:      funny looking bees
> > ...
> > recently emerged bee with "chewed up" looking wings....
>
> Deformed wings is an indicative symptom of PMS (parasitic mite syndrome)
> which can be caused by Varroa mites.  I assume by your E-address that
> your are in the Niagra area (western NY).  This is the time of year when
> drones are being expelled in northern climes and varroa mites begin to
> target worker brood.  You have noticed deformed wings in newly emerging
> workers and are concerned that v. mites may be the cause.  No one in
> cyberspace can diagnose what you already suspect without coming to
> your apiary, we can only speculate.  Test your bees!  Do an ether roll!
> If v. mites are found, treat with Apistan!  Although v. mites have been
> conspicuously absent in most of NY this year, don't get complacent.
> Test, and if necessary treat.
>
> Aaron Morris - I think, therefore I bee!