I've been keeping a watch on the "on bee" varroa levels in the hives I work in SW Virginia--an area decimated by the poor conditions of last winter. The "on bee" level is a good way to estimate the varroa infestation. If I see more than 3-4 bees in a normal colony (expected # of bees per time of year) with mites attached. I count the colony as heavily infested. Colonies here were started from southern packages, or from strong, treated colonies that over-wintered well--and now, some are heavily infested. Where did the mites come from? I have no idea, but assume that infestations are going to follow the typical sigmoid growth curve pattern--build up, peak, and then population crash; only to repeat. There will probably be light varroa years, followed by heavy ones.Does this sound vague and hard to manage? Yep! Such is beekeeping now. Adam -- _________________ Adam Finkelstein [log in to unmask] Any advertisements sent to me will be billed $25 per message, $1 per character, including all header lines. No exceptions. Sending such mail constitutes agreement to these terms.