Hi Larry, 

Speaking as one who has played with observation hives over the last two
years I might make several comments. 

PMS in an observation hive should be pretty easy to confirm by seeing many
adult mites, scale (mite feces) on emptied cell walls and of course spotty
brood pattern.  Look for deformed wings on slow moving small bees. 

 

I’d assume that you feed the hive and insulate it.  How do you over winter
the hive?  A set of single frames would be a challenge for brood rearing
because the bees can’t keep the brood warm enough, even in a protected
situation.  Have you considered placing a panel of foam insulation over the
glass?

 

Could you share a picture of your hive.

 

A simple treatment for the mites would be to cut smaller strips of Apivar
from one of the standard strips.  Place the equivalent of ½ strip in the
hive if there are two or three frames of bees.  You might be able to observe
mite drop.  A creative craftsman could restructure the bottom in order to
apply a sticky board situation.

 

I’d be pleased to hear more about the outcome.

 

DC


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