Please disregard my first reply; I misread the original message. If you are
getting a natural mite fall of 20/day this could be a serious infestation.
You should use a second (different to Apistan) control treatment straight
away to check the hive infestation before winter. As the colony should be
more or less broodless (?) if you use an organic acid/essential oil
treatment the control levels should be pretty good - but follow a well-known
method. Medhat Nasr (Ontario) has developed such a method but whether you
can/should use it in your State, I don't know.


Max


Dr Max Watkins

Vita (Europe) Limited                           Tel     44 (0) 1256 473177
Brook House, Alençon Link,                      Fax     44 (0) 1256 473179
Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 7RD, UK

http://www.vita.demon.co.uk

-----Original Message-----
From:   Max Watkins [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent:   17 November 1999 12:35
To:     Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology
Subject:        RE: Mite drop

Rod,

        The mite drop you describe does not sound serious - possibly a light
reinfestation or mites that esacaped contact with the Apistan treatment.
With limited brood in the hive at this time of year unless you can see
hundreds of mites running over the combs I would not spend money on a
further acaricide treatment this year. The bees will not be in immediate
mortal danger.

Next spring, as soon as it's warm enough for brood to start building up, do
an ether roll test and then decide on your method, preferably methods of
mite control.


Max



Dr Max Watkins

Vita (Europe) Limited                           Tel     44 (0) 1256 473177
Brook House, Alençon Link,                      Fax     44 (0) 1256 473179
Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 7RD, UK

http://www.vita.demon.co.uk