Allen,
 
     In response to your speculative e-mail, I do remember the instance where an
     unusual late flow in September in one year, was followed by a poor
     wintering year.  You are quite correct that for most parts in Alberta,
     significant brood rearing would have ceased by the end of September.  But I
     think the question was not so much about the age of the bees going through
     winter, but their physiological condition.  It seemed that many of the bees
     were just too tired and worn-out by the time winter came in earnest.  Many
     just didn't have enough stamina left until the next srping season.  When
     you go back in provincial records, similar trends occured where significant
     late season flows were often followed by poor wintering.
 
     In regards to you testing for mites, Allen, I suggest you do.  I often
     wonder about what is going to happen in Alberta over the next few years.
     The substantial traffic of colonies from BC (with its high incidence of
     Varroa in some southern areas) to Alberta every year, garantees a healthy
     and thriving population of mites in Alberta.  Yet, it is my understanding
     that only a comparative few actually monitor regularly ie. through Apistan
     strip/ sticky board testing.   Without this testing, a lot of producers are
     setting themselves up for a possible crash.
 
     Best of luck,
 
     Paul van Westendorp                        [log in to unmask]
     Provincial Apiarist
     British Columbia