Garry Libby wrote:
>
> I lost five colonies out of twelve.
> We sent a sample to Beltsville back in Feb. and the result was Tracheal mite
> and Nosema. The bees had so much honey back in Oct. that they would not take
> syrup. Also, four colonies were Buckfast bees that I have never treated for
> T-mites.
Garry,
I have got a 400 power microscope which i test with at home and i use a
30power jewelers glass in the field. Disecting is hardest part of
testing for Tracheal mites. Even the best testers can't get each bee
disected right but after while you get 50% plus.

Nosema is a easy field test after you get used to pulling the bee apart.
 Get your state bee inspector to teach you the methods. Our state bee
inspector thought me. I have NEVER made a field diagnosis which the
microscope didn't confirm later. Light TM infestations are harder to
detect. I have seen TM in other beekeepers bees with amounts up to 200
mites in a bee. he said the only treatment he was doing was menthol
cough drops. Haven't tried those!

I wish i could say the Buckfast bee was the answer but like George i
don't believe they are. I used all buckfast for four years and allways
had to treat. Whenever i quit treating they started getting TM again.
With the equipment i have got there was no need to wait for them to die.
I have heard they got new frozen drone sperm in Texas since i tried so
really can't say how they are now. Only relating my observations from
late 80's.

The best treatment i have ever came across for Tracheal mites is from a
article in American bee Journal-Feb.1997 page 138 by Don jackson.
Menthol in the packets only worked in Missouri when (like George Imirie
said)was put on in August. I started in the spring of 1997 using Don
Jacksons method but the weaker version and have used only the formula he
gives. I believe i have totally eradicated TM using his method. I have
yet, to  find ANY TM in my spring testing this year. I used patties
prior to spring 97.
The article says the method is legal and used by many commercial
operators in the north and i have found NOT temperature dependent like
Menthol in bags.

I had 2% winter loss last winter(2 hives per 100) but we had a mild
winter and i fed quite a bit of syrup. My 2000 honey season started last
fall. We have a wonderful flow going right now in Missouri. I have been
putting honey supers on all week and should be done by Friday. Most
other beekeepers are spliting bees. If you snooze in beekeeping you the
lose honey crop. If any Drought area midwest beekeepers are reading. Get
those honey supers on as we have had the driest April on record and if
we don't get rain everything will be burnt up in a month. i have looked
at corn which won't even start due to lack of moisture in the soil. I
believe the sweet clover will grow to about 18-24" and then bloom and
then die like in 1998. 1998 was the worst honey season i have had since
keeping bees in Missouri. In the drought of 87(sound like old timer!) we
fed bees July thru Dec.. BIG EXPENSE and many beekeepers didn't make a
honey crop.
Bob Harrison U.S.A.