Hi All:
The very best and happiest wishes for all during the holidays.
 
I use (when I can get them) tobacco stems to burn in my smoker to "knock
down" mites.
Placing a sticky sheet on the bottom floor and then smoking the bees with
this type of "fuel" a significant number of mites can be removed from the
population.  This can be utilized as a "test" for the presence of mites.
HOWEVER, beware, since the absence of mites does not mean that there
aren't any, it just means that they did not get knocked down by the
tobacco smoke!
Just a thought!
Best regards.
Dr. Rodriguez
Virginia Beach, VA