>> I am sure both Eric and Randy would agree with you on that.
>
Jim claimed:> No, they want to call their approaches not just "sufficient", 
but
> "successful".  The "one-size-fits-all" approach is exactly what
> they openly promote to others.

I don't speak for Eric, and I sure as heck don't need Jim speaking for me.
I can't imagine that anyone who actually took the time to read my articles 
could feel that I promote any sort of "one size fits all strategy"!
In the first place, mite growth never "goes exponential," it is exponential 
as soon as bees begin broodrearing.
I've been adamant about not waiting until mite populations build to high 
levels to treat!
Take a moment and actually read my articles, Jim!  I promote a strategy of 
never allowing mite levels to get above a 2% infestation rate!

I'm not sure if drone trapping and powdered sugar dusting will be 
commercially viable.  I'm testing it on a fair scale--I bought 500 pounds of 
powdered sugar this week that I will dust in the next two weeks.
However, feedback on the methods this year from small beeks has been 
incredible!  Sugar dusting over a screened bottom gives them immediate 
feedback on their mite infestation every time they dust.  If counts are up, 
they dust again in a week;  if counts are low, they can wait a month.  Very 
empowering, and keeps them very much in touch with the level of mite 
infestation.  Respondents are bringing high mite counts down, and 
maintaining low mite counts.

We've had a dry spring/summer, so mite reproduction has been low in Calif, 
but I get feedback from all over the country.  All positive!

There are some unanswered questions:
1.  How long should I wait after dusting to take my mite count?
2.  How does the number of mites correlate to mite infestation level?
3.  What is the actual total percent mite kill due to one good dusting?

I am starting a series of experiments this week to answer those questions. 
Have hired a mite counter/technician.

I'm not saying that sugar dusting/drone trapping is for all, either.  In my 
series I've frankly discussed the problems and benefits of virtually every 
known treatment (two articles are in press right now, covering formic acid 
and thymol).  Oxalic acid dribble is extremely effective and safe as a 
winter treatment.  In my area, it is best applied a few days after 
Christmas.  Resets the mite pop back close to zero, so the exponential 
growth begins from a lower setting.  Simple spring management techniques or 
treatments then can be used to retard the slope of the growth, as Jim says. 
Sugar dusting can completely arrest it.

Mite management in Florida will, of course, be totally different than 
management in Alberta.  However, by having a firm grasp of mite population 
dynamics, and the choice of means to retard mite population growth, any 
diligent beekeeper can deal with the mite.

The biggest unresolved problem is other beekeepers, for two reasons.  First, 
their drones can dilute good mite-tolerant lines of bees.  Second, their 
collapsing colonies can result in overwhelming "immigration" of mites into 
your operation when they are robbed out by your bees.  Only regular 
monitoring of mite levels will give you a heads up of when this is 
happening.

I hope this is of some help to all.

Randy Oliver

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