Re. Varroa’s invasion of B.C. in the early 1990s, I found this text by the province’s apiarist, Paul van Westendorp, intriguing:

“In the spring of 1993, one commercial producer moved an estimated 700 lightly Varroa infested colonies from the south Okanagan Bee District to the (Alberta) Peace River without netting or closed entrances during daytime hours. The beekeeper has been charged by BC for moving bees illegally (still pending) and charged and convicted in Alberta for importing bees into the province illegally.  Subsequent Varroa infestations have been found along the principal highway(s) leading to Alberta. Currently, most mite infestations are found in border areas, while the majority of colonies remain mite free” (CAPA 1994: 15).

What explains Varroa infestations along the principal highway(s) leading to Alberta?  Did the commercial producer stop for a smoke along the way and let his bees out for a few cleansing flights? Oh, infested bees blew/flew off the transport truck and found their way into nearby colonies (no netting or closed entrances - brilliant!)?

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