thanks steve.
as stated, no treatments were applied.
what's worse, i wasn't set up to do mite counts until late last season.
i don't discount that mites and/or the viruses they vector could be a factor.
interestingly, these bees were obtained from a supplier who has been breeding feral survivors for 15 years off treatments.
i have made it to my fourth season with them not treating.
i'll be taking mite counts this year, but may only use them to select queen mothers for grafting, and identify colonies to be requeened.
i'm not committed to abstaining from treatments, but since these bees have shown the propensity to coexist with mites for years, i'd like to try to perpetuate that ability.
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