Bob Harrison <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>Especially if done on a regular basis. Especially if his FGMO is laced 
with
>thymol ( common practice these days).

Hello Bob!

I agree, using FGMO does make ones success with small cell suspect!  And 
further more, even applying these things in a non regular basis effects 
varroa levels for several years, serving to disguise ‘actual colony 
performance‘. 

>I NEVER saw a Russian,varroa tolerant or smr hybrid hive I could not find
>varroa or tracheal mites in in fall.  

Me either, and in the Spring also.  IMO, we need to come to the 
realization that it is OK to see a few mites.  In the spring, state 
inspectors are never satisfied until they have spent enough time in my 
colonies to spot a few mites.  Required was the 10% inspected for my queen 
permit, but I was more than happy to let the State Apiarist inspect every 
colony!  What I do NOT what to see is a colony exhibiting stress or 
pressure at the colony level or performance level because of the mites, a 
few mites and NO pressures I do not care much about.

Dee Lusby will tell you you can find
>varroa in her hives but not a problem. Dann Purvis will say you can find
>varroa in his lines.  Charlie Harper will say you can find varroa in his
>Russian bees.

You can find varroa in my bees also!  It is wonderfully refreshing to see 
honest breeders admitting this fact, this is a credit to the industry!  
Yes Virginia, Mites can exist in out-performing colonies.  :)

>Varroa once they arrive will not be controlled  completely even with
>choumaphos or fluvalinate. 

Why do we have a zero tolerance for mites in the industry?  IMO, Zero 
tolerance would be better off directed towards bad performing colonies.  A 
goal of developing mite resistant colonies that keep varroa numbers to a 
level low enough so as to permit the colony to be productive and 
outperform is certainly good enough for me.

Best Wishes,
Joe

-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l for rules, FAQ and  other info ---