In a message dated 02/15/2000 11:08:15 AM Eastern Standard Time, [log in to unmask] writes: << Mites on a frame are already in the vicinity of an ideal environment (in a beehive surrounded by potential hosts) whereas mites in other locations can be considered away from potential hosts. Mites and ticks are not hunters per se, they are opportunists. They do not seek out their prey, they lie in wait for a host to happen by, in which case they pounce. >> Hello Arron and Friends, The distance a mite is willing to travel is a very intriguing subject. I understand the mites can live for days away from a host. Perhaps they do just lie in wait and then grab a ride of opportunity. When (or if) they will travel 'great' distances is still a matter of conjecture, it appears. When I get my screens on the hives, I will gather a few live mites and put them in a 'crawling contest.' I am going to put them in the middle of a 3 or 4 foot square of paper in a draft free room, and check the progress till they wilt in their tracks! Even if they only move 3/4", I will have the satisfaction of seeing them wilt. Either way, I win! I would assume they might move farther if they are away from the combs. I have seen turtles strolling around great distances from lakes. They seem to be motivated to move around at mating season. I know they don't belong in the middle of the road, but I have seen a lot of them there. Perhaps there are stimuli which would cause the mites to move farther than we have observed, to date. I think they would move a fair distance if they were hungry, but I don't know if the little buggars are inspired to move by hunger. Just what situations do inspire the mite to travel around on all eights? One thing for sure is, they have been very effective in moving all over the world! If they only travel 3/4" in a single hike, it would seem that they wouldn't have spread so rapidly. I recently bought some drone foundation with the intent of trapping the adult Varroa in the drone brood, in a manner which has been discussed on this list. If the mites only move very short distances in a hive, how would the mites get into the drone frame cells from all of the other areas of the hive? I found 5 mites in one drone cell this week! Does the drone comb cause the mites to bail off the bees that crawl on it? Bob Bassett - Just thought I'd ask