> The statement she made was that the economic threshold for mites in late
> summer is 1% (3 per 300 wash)   That seems completely off to me.  I would
> be tickled to see 3's in my mite washed this time of year,   While I
> understand a 3 in April would be bad.  Not comprehending how a level of 1%
> in aug is a bad number???
>
>


 I don't think 1% in August is realistic.

OMAFRA's recommended thresholds in Ontario are 3% or 9/300 bees(
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/food/inspection/bees/2014-treatment.htm).
From my experience, that threshold is probably ok in late August here, but
too high in early August, I am treating at 2% or higher in early August.
We treat primarily with MAQS through the season with a fall cleanup with
OA.  I find with MAQS that it seems to work pretty well as long as mites
are in the 6% or less, above that it seems to be struggle.  Here are some
mite numbers and a treatment schedule for a yard of 25 hives that I have
been struggling with all season:

May 16 - tested 3 hives - 0.4%/1%/1.8%
May 28 - treated with 1 strip MAQS
June 9 - treated with 1 strip MAQS
June 27 - tested 4 hives - 1.5%/4.2%/4.4%/7.4%
July 24 - treated with 2 strip MAQS
Aug 15 - tested 3 hives - 1.8%/0%/5%
Aug 15 - treated with 1 strip MAQS

Haven't been back to follow up on the last treatment, but figure it is
probably in decent shape now.

Adam
Barrie, ON

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