RE: Winter/Late Spring applications thread >Seasons Greetings, Timing of Varroa "control" is tricky because it should >consider first the population level of Varroa. Treating when broodless is >great because Varroa that are present should be exposed to chemicals and >most be killed, however, will your colony make it to this time without >dying and/or be significantly weakened? I feel we should be overwintering >with young, healthy bees, that are not "shot full of holes" by mites >already. I've observed strong "appearing" colonies to crash within a week >when numerous Varroa were present. In cold regions you may not want to >open a colony in the winter months to treat. On "warmer" winter days you >could put in strips without taking out frames, assuming your ladies >haven't propolized the gaps. > >just a thought, grins, John > >John A. Skinner 218 Ellington Hall >Extension Apiculturist University of Tennessee >[log in to unmask] Knoxville, TN 37901 (423)974-7138