Hi Jerry!
Nice to communicate with you again. Your observation certainly fits with reports
from Europe about large numbers of bees leaving varroa infested hives before
they collapse. In your case I suppose it was too cold for them to go anywhere?
Are you familiar with the Tucson situation a couple of years ago documenting
apparent desertion of a honey bee colony heavily infested with the tracheal
mite? Did you test your bees for that beast?
John Gates, Apiculture Specialist
B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
4607, 23rd. St. Vernon, B.C. Canada, V1T 4K7
Ph:( 604) 549-5580
fax:(604) 549-5488
Internet: [log in to unmask]