>>...most intense test ... using a 6% solution...

Thanks, Mike!

>>We did not see any evidence of brood or adult bee injury...

I believe OA reduces the life span of adult bees but this is only my 
subjective observation.  I have no way of measuring this.

I've decided not to treat at this time.  I have 4 virgin queens from 
a feral queen that came from a house that - according to the 
homeowner - has had bees for the last 12 years.  The house was about 
50 yards from the sea shore which means they essentially had half of 
the typical forage area so they had to fly further.  Despite this the 
colony was in good shape; good stores, no visible mites or DWS.

When the virgins mate and raise brood, I plan to see how they cope 
with the varroa pressure.  If the mite loads are high, I plan to OA 
treat in Nov./Dec.

Waldemar
Long Island, NY

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