I have what seems like a really big question, related to my post about the
timing of multi-part treatments.

How long does a varroa mite spend in exposed territory (i.e. not in a
capped cell) before entering the next cell to reproduce again?

Obviously the answer to this question will vary from mite to mite,
seasonally, etc.  If the answer under the circumstances at treatment is 24-
36 hours, for instance, then 7-10 days later 85% of the mites that hatched
out would be protected once again in a cell.  Any treatment (like
sucrocide, oxalic, FGMO, powdered sugar, etc.) that only kills the mites
that are there at the time of application would only be very minimally
effective, if that were the case.

The testing I did with sucrocide last year is what got me wondering.  I
went through the very labor-intensive process of treating two of my hives
with the highest mite drop counts in August when there were still near-peak
brood levels.  Testing again after a complete 3-part sucrocide treatment I
found higher mite levels than when I started.  I treated other hives in Sep-
Oct after brood levels had dropped, and those treatments appeared from mite
drop tests to have been quite effective (roughly in line with the official
studies I've seen.)  My best guess as to why the sucrocide apparently
wasn't effective for me in August is that mites were reentering the
protection of capped brood cells too quickly.  Do you all think the same?

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