There have been several comments lately about the effects of the eastern
states' very warm weather.  Others have appropriately commented on the
increased amounts of feed being used and the apparent premature beginning of
brood production.  Last week I had a conversation with a well-respected
queen breeder who raised another undesirable result of the warm weather.

The queen breeder pointed out that along with brood starting, so is varroa
infestation of that brood.  Moreover, as the early brood is all worker that
means the varroa is heavily infesting the worker larvae which will be needed
as the extra exertion will mean that bees normally living to spring will die
earlier.  With each varroa normally producing 2 daughters on worker
brood, brood at this time of year could quickly double or triple the varroa
population.  Not good.

-- 
Lloyd Spear
Owner Ross Rounds, Inc.
Manufacture of equipment for round comb honey sections,
Sundance Pollen Traps, and producer of Sundance custom labels.
Contact your dealer or www.RossRounds.com

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