I can address two recent questions at once here.  I'm just east of
Okefenokee swamp in southeast Georgia.  Maples bloomed early and long,
starting on the 10th of January and continuing right into the tyty
bloom March 1st.  I've seen swarms on maple in the past though not
often.  Last year was a year in which they wanted to swarm, this seems
not to be.  As to why this might be, sunspots, El Nino, the Sox winning
the Series, who knows.  I just got done with my first round of splits
and saw only one colony with swarm cells.

I treated with oxalic in the fall, for the first time, using exactly
the protocol described by Herve, in Maine after queens had quit laying.
  We got great mite control and build-up this spring is, if anything,
better than I've been seeing for a few years.  Relieved of their mite
load they are charging ahead.   Naturally I've been looking pretty hard
for any signs of ill effects from a new treatment and I can't see any.
So far.

Best,
Michael Kiley


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