Tom; In the states, there is NO "varroa infested" area. Varroa is in all 50 states and essentially every county within the states. Ireland will be that way shortly. A reliable queen breeder PROTECTS his bees, just as you protect your tools; and he dare not ship bees with mites because he surely would lose customers overnight. Of course, as in all walks of life, there are those unskilled, unknowledgeable queen breeders who won't be around very long anyhow. Hope this helps. George - 66 years studying bees scientifically and teaching good beekeeping.