Hey Pete, I feel your pain, I have a single yard in which 2/3s of the hives
have crashed in spite of 3 well timed OAV treatments and a formic flash
treatment earlier- I suspect mite bombs as it is near some other small
beekeepers.
I had one of my best years ever in the piedmont and mountains of NC and am
not sure why. I had not had a 'good' year in 12-15 years but the bees
plugged out this year. Need I say I was discouraged too? So what was
different I ask? Second year of OAV and 100% winter survival. Also,
record high rainfall last year. Those are the 2 variables. One of the
seminal points I have learned from Randy is big colonies with big honey
yields will have big mite problems - so I have been trying to treat
properly and have used OAV and formic flash treatments.
What is different about your situation this year? It is the variables that
are intriguing. I would also add that it is best to alternate mite
treatments even if what you are using has been working. Classic IPM. Keep
the faith!
Bill Lord
Louisburg, NC
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