This is one of the few quantitative studies that gives a sense of the
magnitude of possible mite immigration into colonies from outside
sources. One thing stands out: the relatively small number of mites
immigrated compared to the real or potential number of mites produced
inside a colony through reproduction in brood. Also, the number of
immigrated mites in this study with low densities of infested colonies
and at good distances seems much lower than those implied or measured
in reports of "mite bombs" that overwhelm colonies. Big picture, and
repeating myself, the crux of the varroa problem, regardless of where
mites come from the resident colony or from neighbors is the continued
use of highly susceptible colonies that are mite factories.
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