> if we go too low, there is the risk of developing resistant mites quickly
> due to killing all but the very most hardy which then multiply and
> interbreed
>
> If numbers are kept low, what is the likelihood of them interbreeding?
I don't understand the question.
Varroa mites do not need to interbreed to reproduce. They only interbreed
AFAIK when two foundresses or more happen to enter a cell with a pupa which
survives, uncapped, to emergence. In that case, any male offspring can mate
with any of the females which subsequently mature enough, forming a mixed
family.
Otherwise, it's all in the family and the inbred offspring are as viable
AFAIK as the offspring of interbreeding.
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