>
> > "The mites are pretty dormant over winter,....." Doesn't that depend on
> where you are? It is rare in my part of the UK for hives to be broodless and
> probably much rarer for Trevor in Australia.
>
The mite reproduction rate is lower when bees are not rearing drones, as
during winter. I don't have hard data, but overall reproduction appear in
my operation appears to be low during winter, despite there being a small
amount of brood.
>
> > "If the mites can't reproduce, they quickly die off."
>
I wouldn't have used the word "quickly." Mite population while bees are
broodless drops about 8% per month.
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com
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