It takes a world of gall to disagree with Lloyd about anything but
here goes.  There is one giant distinction one needs to make when
considering genetics and resistance.  If you do not raise your own
queens then your practices do not project anything into future
generations.  (I don't consider the influence of your drones to be
significant.)  It is the queen breeder who needs to ask what
characteristics he may be exaggerating by deciding which queens to
use as breeders.

Dr. Diana Sammataro demonstrated that kneeping grease patties in the
hive 12 months of the year reduces the population of tracheal mites
to below the level of economic damage.  Dr. Steve Sheppard
demonstrated that adding mint oils substantially increased their
efficacy.  Best of all, EPA accepts the use of both even while
extracting supers are on the hive so "treatment" can be continuous.
There is no reason to think bees store mint oil and grease in the
supers and they are both food products anyway.  Address
<pugetsoundbees.org>, click on "PSBA Forum" and scroll down to "The
Role of Mint Oils in Suppressing Varroa Mites" for formulas.  See
also <www.hereintown.net/~rnoel/>.

I urge you not to impose either mite on your bees.   Dan




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