Last April I started my first hive with package bees (Midnite by Dadant).  The
summer went very well, and the colony became strong, occupying 2 deeps and 3
shallows.  In the fall it occurred to me to look for tracheal mites, and I
collected a couple of 'evicted' drones to
take to work, where I have access to microscopes.  I never did dissect the
trachea out, but DID discover a Varroa jacobsoni mite, verified by a colleague
who has worked on them.  I immediately ordered and administered Apistan as
directed, and later found many dead Vj on the base board.
 
Anyway, my questions are these...how did the little bastards find their way
into my colony ?  The package WAS shipped with an Apistan strip. I live in the
city of Madison, WI, near some parks (many trees) - and my theory is that drones from
wild/infected colonies were allowed into the hive, desiring to make some
whoopee with whatever queens are willing.  I think I read somewhere that drones
have security clearance at all hive entrances - it certainly would help genetic
diversity for the species.  What is known about Varroa routes of infection ?
Does anyone out there have any other ideas about how they got mites ?
 
Secondly, I have scanned issues on Am. Bee Journal for info on 'mite-resistant'
strains of A. mellifica, as well as the
new edition of 'The Hive and the Honey Bee', and found little. Have strains
such as Taber's ARS-whatever -1 been objectively analysed ? (I mean in a
statistically valid way).  If you have tried tham I would also be interested in
hearing about your experiences.
 
Varroa seems likely to be with us for some time, and I suspect that annual
treatment with Apistan and its successors will become routine if we are to help
our colonies through the winter. Roll on spring.
 
 
Thanks in advance,
 
Alistair Carr - a somewhat anxious "Dad"