> >Why use it if no mites can be found?<<<<<<< > > At the risk of stirring the dust of recent history, I am > moved to > remind readers that those of us who live with Varroa mites do not > take them lightly. <etc.> But these bees have not been proven to even *have* varroa mites. They have merely been -- for a short while -- near some bees that reportedly had some mites. The previous owner decided to treat on general principal too. No one has seen even one varroa on these hives. Does it make sense to treat before even sampling to determine if they are actually present? Surely careful sampling would reveal any infestation likely to have any significance. I think you missed my point entirely. Regards Allen W. Allen Dick, Beekeeper VE6CFK RR#1, Swalwell, Alberta Canada T0M 1Y0 Internet:[log in to unmask] & [log in to unmask] Honey. Bees, & Art <http://www.internode.net/~allend/>