Dr. Pedro,  I finally got to check the bees in my neighbors walnut tree.
I was able to collect 50 drones and maybe 25 workers.  I did not find any
mites on any of the bees.  I put a screen in front of the opening and
just swept the bees into a jar.  They were mostly drones.  I used ether
test first and did not see any mites, so then took the bees out of the
jar for closer inspection and still did not find any mites.  I have a bee
hive made out of walnut lumber also and will check it for mites later this
fall and again this coming spring and not use any thing for mites. At
the present time this hive does not have mites.
Earlier I had used some mineral oil in this hive, but ran out about four
weeks ago and haven't been to town to get more.  A few hives that I didn't
treat with mineral oil did have some mites so I know they are around.  I
have a total of 10 hives at present.  Will keep you and BEE-L informed.  I
deleted email from Penn university by mistake asking about walnut
toxicity.  Do you still have a copy?  Thanks Bob Cessac
 
K-B Ranch
Natural Beef
 
2362 St. Rt. O
Higbee, MO. 65257
 
[log in to unmask]
 
On Sun, 3 Aug 1997, Robert J. Cessac wrote:
 
> If I collect bees to test for mites, they would be all field bees.  I can
> not get into tree to get to brood comb.  Will the field bees have enough
> mites to detect?  How many bees should I collect to get a good test?
> Thanks for the interest.  Bob Cessac
>
> K-B Ranch
> Natural Beef
>
> 2362 St. Rt. O
> Higbee, MO. 65257
>
> [log in to unmask]
>
> On Sun, 3 Aug 1997, \Dr. Pedro P. Rodriguez wrote:
>
> > Robert J. Cessac wrote:
> > Dear Robert:
> > I am very much interested in your findings Re: walnut wood mite
> > toxicity.  Please keep abreast of your findings.  Also, I would like to
> > suggest that you try to find out now if indeed the walnut tree hive
> > has\does not have mites.  There are several reasons for my thinking.
> > The most important reason is that the one hive in the tree could die for
> > a number of reasons before next Spring. Hence you would lose a
> > magnificent opportunity to make that determination.  Please forgive me
> > for intruding into to trend of thoughts.  It is only a
> > suggestion from one that is very much concerned about bee mites and
> > possible ways of combating them.
> > Sincerely.
> > Dr. Rodriguez.
> > Virginia Beach, VA
> >
> >
>
>