At 16:47 18/3/1997 GMT, you wrote:
>Nick wrote:-
>
>That is, bees don't *have* to be exposed to mites, for instance, for
>them to have developed some of the defence strategies that would make
>them capable of dealing with mites.  'Resistance' may in fact be the
>presence of more generalised grooming, housekeeping, sanitary or
>whatever characteristics - which may well be present or bred for
>without the colony ever being exposed to the pest/disease.
>
>
>This may be a very long shot, but here goes, I think we need lateral
thinking (apologies)
>
>Now, has anybody tried to dump a particle which of a similar size and shape
to a Varroa on the
>bees, would this entice them to clean off all the particles, including the
mites in the process,maybe it could be slightly sticky. Presumably bees
groom eachother, especially when the contamination is severe, such as when
flour is shaken on the bees
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I also wonder if icing (confectionary) sugar sprinled on the combs and bees
would work in this way
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Regards
 
    (\  (\      (\
   {|||8-       {|||8-  {|||8-          David Warr
    (/          (/      (/      Lancashire & North-West Beekeepers' Association
                        Ormskirk & Croston District Branch