I have been wondering if any other beekeepers have observed =
 
the seeming mite resistance of colonies situated in attic, =
 
house walls etc. The writer lives in a cooperative community =
 
where there have been as many as five beekeepers in past =
 
years. While all have experienced typical colony losses we =
 
have observed that two colonies, one in the wall of an =
 
ancient stone structure and another in the roof of one of =
 
our homes have defied extinction. Both colonies have been in =
 
their present abodes as far back as I can remember.     =
 
 
        Most beekeepers have been impressed with the difficulty of =
 
either destroying or capturing colonies resident in =
 
structures. I had always assumed that the difficulty had to =
 
do with accessing the brood comb area or the likelihood of =
 
multiple colonies. Could there be some other factors?
 
        Some things are fairly certain. These are very vigorous and =
 
healthy colonies. They are undisturbed.  Their honey is not =
 
robbed. They do not have to wear out their wings constantly =
 
replenishing there supply of nectar. They are always well =
 
protected from the elements, especially moisture which we =
 
all know is a lot more difficult for them than the cold. The =
 
colonies I have been observing are situated in either the =
 
north side (the stone house colony) or in a highly shaded =
 
area ( the colony in  the roof of one of our homes). I think =
 
it would be safe to assume that they need to expend far less =
 
energy heating and cooling their hive than if they were =
 
situated in an open area fully exposed to the sun, rain and =
 
wind plus having to cope with all the stresses that we =
 
beekeepers visit upon them. Could it be that we impair their =
 
ability to resists the onslaught of the predatory mites?
 
        I lost all my colonies some years ago and gave up the =
 
hobby. I had decided that I didn=B9t want to use pesticides =
 
but we do a fair amount of community (organic only) =
 
gardening and so this spring I decided to try raising a few =
 
colonies. I Purchased two Buckfasts, one mysteriously =
 
disappeared after a week, but I suspect that they rejected =
 
the queen (which I found surrounded by a few workers near =
 
the hive entrance). Judging by the considerable population =
 
increase in the surviving colony,  I suspect that the =
 
workers joined the surviving  colony.    =
 
 
        The colony is in my old beehouse which I revised to conform =
 
with a method I found described in an old English beekeeping =
 
text and also referenced in a book by Mace. In order to make =
 
inspection for Varroa easier I have a slide at the bottom of =
 
the brood chamber for a white plastic tablet. The bottom of =
 
the brood chamber is simply =
 
fiberglass mesh. On hot days I can remove it to increase =
 
ventilation and for the top I have alternately  some clear =
 
plastic, and a board with an a hole properly situated for =
 
either feeding or with a mesh insert for ventilation. I have =
 
been somewhat amazed at the vitality of the colony and the =
 
level of activity at the exit during a dismal summer here in =
 
the northeast (Bucks County, PA). Initially I did use =
 
Apistan as prescribed and inspections have not suggested any =
 
Varroa problem, but at 76 my eyesight isn=B9t what it used to =
 
be and I could be wrong. In any event I have decided not to =
 
rob them and to inspect them by indirect methods etc & I may =
 
resist using Apistan again. We need the bees in  our garden =
 
more than I need their honey.
 
        Has anybody made similiar observations about colonies =
 
situated in buildings?