Date:    Wed, 4 Nov 1998 11:25:03 -0500
From:    David Gaida <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Extender Patties
 
 
"Most of these beekeepers stated a smaller honey harvest this year.  All
assumed it was a result of our drought."
 
Judy,
Back in the fall/winter of 1995, we had large losses of our bees due to
what seemed to be large mite populations .There were lots of mites in
July/August which was 1-2 months earlier than normal. This was a year of
a bad drought .
Could there be a correlation between drought and mite populations?
Could the drought affect the bees such that they are more susceptible to
both or either type of mite?
Does anyone on the list have any ideas on this?
 
Nick -fingerlakes NY