> > I believe tht mites infesting the Orchard bees are primarily scavengers on > the pollen balls in the nesting blocks. I've read of the chlorine bleach > treatment but it sounds very labor-intensive, hence, my research efforts. > I'll keep you posted regarding results/observations. I have seen the teaming masses of mites devouring the pollen balls, but have not seen them on the adult bees as you described. I "gather" that you are using wood nesting blocks that can be opened? Do you empty them later in the season and remove parasitized cells? Amitraz and Fluvalinate are used in honey bees for mite control. This might be something to try. I will ask around to see if anyone around here has any suggestions. As for the chlorine bleach treatments, I would think that if one went to the trouble to clean out the blocks and cells, the bleach treatment wouldn't add that much more control. > We haven't done much Osmia in three or four years, but we may have an assistantship to try Osmia on cucumbers this year. -- =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | Stephen Bambara NCSU-Entomology, Box 7626, Raleigh NC 27695-7626 | |=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=| | Voice: (919) 515-3140 | INTERNET: [log in to unmask] | | FAX: (919) 515-7273 | 2% of the population feeds the other 98% =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=