We in Czech republic have varroa mites for more than ten years. And
according to the general experience if mites can be seen on adult bees than
the degree of infestation in the colony is very high. The disease might be
in its thirth year allready and the colony near its death.  The sooner
a beekeeper knows that mites have arrived the better possibilities to
controle them. Relatively simple methods have been developed here to check
an apiary for the presence of mites. Special paper stripes for fumigation
the colonies or plates for evaporation of formic acid have been used.
Several preparations are available here which allow to treat colonies using
the lowest possible amount of chemicals thus ensuring the  high quality of
honey, and excluding possibilities of resistence development.
Vladimir Ptacek         ([log in to unmask])
Fac.Sci., Masaryk Univ.,
611 37 Brno, Czech Rep.