Good advise I believe but how does one really know for sure there are no
mites? I only have so much time to spend on a hive and I know that from
sampling that the large majority are infested even though at allow level.
I don't have the courage to assume because I didn't come across any
during a sampling they don't exist. Or do I have the courage to assume
that they have the tolerance to survive until a spring checkup. So you
know what I did. Guess this is not much help to improving the tolerance
line. The best I have been able to accomplish is  a one time late fall
treatment (second year). I do supplement this with selective drone frame
culling which I assume is beneficial in raising a lot of drones that show
a  high ability, for whatever reason, to control mite levels.
        I happen to be a strong supporter of raising a lot of drones from
colonies that show particular desirable traits. I know there is much more
supersedure that occurs than what is usually acknowledged and to have
lots of these fellows flying around can only be an asset. I have found
that allowing colonies to raise lots of drones generally does better than
those that are discouraged from doing so.
 
Alden Marshall
B-Line Apiaries
Hudson, NH 03051
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On Tue, 9 Dec 1997 13:09:47 -0600 "Excerpts from BEE-L"
<[log in to unmask]> writes:
>Reply-to:      Discussion of Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
>From:          Al Needham <[log in to unmask]>
>
>>First I must say this again and again NO beekeeper should be treating
>>for any kind of mites or any other pest or disease that does not have
>>them.
>
>