> For hobbyist beekeepers with only a couple of hives, what is the conventional wisdom for treatment against mites? 

I suggest to members of our local club, to closely monitor mite levels using ether roll, alcohol wash or powdered sugar roll. If levels are low, 5 or 6 mites on a half cup of bees, probably they will be OK. 

If levels are high, 20 or more, a treatment is indicated. I recommend MAQs or ApiLife Var. MAQs may be too harsh and ApiLife Var may be too weak, but those are the best legal options in US.

PLB

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