One location, more or less one approach over five winters, in a fairly 
harsh climate, high desert, 7566 feet above sea level, almost at the 
38th parallel, lows for the years recorded at the nearest official 
station between 0 and -11 Fahrenheit.  The lows at the apiary are 
likely 10 to 15 degrees lower because of the thermal inversion 
affecting the lower area of the valley (200 feet lower than the weather 
station).

A total of 30 overwintering attempts over the five years, with mites 
washed and bees counted in samples taken from brood areas in the late 
summer or fall from most of the colonies.  Colonies that survived: 25, 
with mites per hundred bees ranging from 0 to 3.1.  Colonies that died: 
5, with mite numbers unknown or ranging from 0 to 38 (yes, as in 38 
mites to 100 bees).  We tried to bring mite numbers down in that colony 
and its sister (at 19 mites per 100 bees).  They went down but not 
early or well enough.
 

             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html