> If you have trouble seeing mites, which we all do at first, especially when
> we do not have any :) then a pair of drug store glasses (2x?) can be very
> useful, or a loupe can help).

I suggest a x10 pocket magnifying glass, not to count the mites but to
examine them. You may find a proportion of them have been damaged by the bees.
Typically there will be missing limbs or dents in the carapace.  I once followed
the mite drop over several months in a particular hive and found that the
proportion of damaged mites increased markedly.

If you find that some hives are better at damaging mites than others it might
be one of the factors to consider in your selection policy.

Chris

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