Hello All

The Varroa Calculator devised by MAFF in the UK uses a multiplier to convert
the number of naturally fallen varroa mites daily into an approximation of
the number of mites in the hive. The value of the multiplier varies with the
time of the year.

I was wondering about the following:

Does anybody know of any mathematical relationship between the number of
mites which will fall as the result of the insertion for diagnosis of
Apistan/Bayvarol strips, and the total number of mites in the hive?

I ask this question for the following reason. Assume that I place Apistan or
Bayvarol strips into a hive for diagnosis say in mid March (within 6 weeks
of supering here in Dublin). If it were possible to work out the level of
infestation from the number of fallen mites, I could then possibly use an
IPM approach (entrapment using drone brood, Open Mesh Floor, etc), if the
number were small and super the hive as normal. On the other hand if it were
a severe infestation I could use Apistan/Bayvarol and delay supering the hive.

Any comments most welcome.

Sincerely

Tom Barrett