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Date: | Sat, 5 Sep 2015 08:45:59 -0500 |
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The drift of mites from collapsing colonies has been carefully measured by a number of researchers. It can be up to 1500 mites over a relatively short period of time. "Normal" figures are of course lower.
Thanks for the explanation, much appreciated.
I have NOT ready the studies you mention. But here is the problem I see with the math. Lets assume you have a "weak hive" say20k bees, at 15% infestation. That’s only 3000 mites. If you "assumed" that EVERY mite in the hive successfully jumped ship, on a typical pallet you would at best see a 750 mite increase in the other 3 hives. Additional 750 mites in a strong hive (say 30k bees) would at best be a 2% spike.
Hardly a huge influx. The other problem with that is the concept of ALL the mites jumping. I don't think anything over say 25% could be remotely possible......
There are 2 factors to consider in this though. One is the method and timing of mite collapse. We typically see winter collapse here. In which I would suspect that almost impossible to see mite transfer. The other method of collapse is slow dwindle. Somewhat like a queenless hive with the addition of Small Hive Beetles. As this hive shrinks, beetles take over the brood nest, probably also reducing the number of phoretic mites that could transfer.
A wise teacher once told me, if you can define the problem with numbers, you can find the answer. In this problem, I can't see the math yet.
Charles
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