Subject: Re: Mites Hi All As regards the post about sighting mites of a redish nature running around the front board of the hive: I do not know whether the natural hive 'pseudoscorpions' which are found in south africa occur in european bee populations as well. In my area as well as further up in africa one is likely to find populations of small pseudoscorpions attached to swarms. These animals are also resident in the hives and as far as I have read are believed to be harmless. I believe they feed on smaller mites and things in the hive. Apparently they are less common in man kept hives. Swarms that were infested usually lost the mites in my experience. (three cases). I saw one mite walking on the entrance board, but speedy was not a word I would use to describe it!! Keep well Garth --- Garth Cambray "Opinions expressed in this post may be those 15 Park Road of Pritz, my cat, who knows a lot about Grahamstown catfood." 6140 *[log in to unmask]* South Africa Phone 27-0461-311663 In general, generalisations are bad. But don't worry BEEEEEE happy.