tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741306664184117964.post1177069918079110606..comments2023-05-07T09:25:10.024+01:00Comments on Diary of a novice bee-keeper: Putting in a Varroa screenStephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11749896163352267347noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741306664184117964.post-77429562255299605012009-09-12T08:59:57.097+01:002009-09-12T08:59:57.097+01:00they say sugar syrup with its pH=7 facilitates Var...they say sugar syrup with its pH=7 facilitates Varro infestation immensely, whereas honey, pH=3,2 suppressing the parasite. did you feed your bees?romanhttp://www.mybeehive.runoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741306664184117964.post-36130131228786456472009-08-08T19:17:59.377+01:002009-08-08T19:17:59.377+01:00Thanks - I think I get the idea!Thanks - I think I get the idea!VPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02732971362066784175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741306664184117964.post-38923724789495359982009-08-08T17:17:03.537+01:002009-08-08T17:17:03.537+01:00To get an idea of the effect of a mite on a bee, i...To get an idea of the effect of a mite on a bee, imagine a large crab from the quayside in Brixham had just landed on your back and dug its claws in.<br /><br />It's now sucking your blood ....<br /><br />How do you feel? And then another one lands on your chest .....<br /><br />(aargh!)Stephenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11749896163352267347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741306664184117964.post-8915626361797263792009-08-08T17:14:31.368+01:002009-08-08T17:14:31.368+01:00Yes, all colonies now have varroa. One could argu...Yes, all colonies now have varroa. One could argue (and some do) that one should let nature take its course and then varroa resistant genes will prevail.<br /><br />But that means no honey.<br /><br />The other argument is that colonies that have some resistance should be encouraged so that their genes are encouraged.<br /><br />In answer to the second question - the colony can survive a small number of mites, but a large number would reduce the colony down to an unsustainable size. <br /><br />One must think "colony" not "bee" - which is quite a hard adjustment.<br /><br />The mites introduce viruses into the bee, which then cause wing deformities (for example).<br /><br />The crucial period is Jan-March when the bees that have survived from (say) November need to survive just a bit longer, until the queen starts laying again.<br /><br />Hope that makes sense, VP.Stephenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11749896163352267347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741306664184117964.post-36759266010767208222009-08-07T07:53:34.855+01:002009-08-07T07:53:34.855+01:00So does this mean you've got Varroa mites in y...So does this mean you've got Varroa mites in your hive then?<br /><br />And do all hives have them as a matter of course?<br /><br />I'm wondering if there's a 'natural population', but then something happens which makes them a real threat to the hive.<br /><br />Excuse my ignorance - I'm learning along with you :)VPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02732971362066784175noreply@blogger.com