On 3-Feb-08, at 2:01 PM, ALDEN MARSHALL wrote:

>
>     I think on way to verify this would be to run an experiment  
> with solid against screen bottoms, using drone brood removal in  
> both sets. Would the screen bottoms  be the winners?
>


Hi Alden and all

I use screened bottoms on most of my hives and will convert the  
others this season.  I don't believe that screened bottoms can  
replace drone brood removal or any other method, however, mites that  
fall through the screen to the ground are gone so that screened  
bottoms help.  Several years ago the Ontario Beekeepers Association  
Tech Transfer Team did a test of several non- chemical methods to  
control varroa.  As I recall, drone brood removal was the best of the  
methods tested.

Bob Darrell
Caledon Ontario
Canada
44N80W

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