I have a question for those of you that have observation hives.
Would you say that population of mites is higher,lower or about the same in an observation hive when you compair it to a regular Lang.
Thanks
John
Lower!
Of course there are a bit fewer bees in my observation hives... :-D
BjornBee
Thanks for your reply
I phrased my question incorrectly. What I should have asked . Is an observation hive more likely or less likely to have issues with mites.
I am new [first year] to bee keeping and don't want to ask dumb questions. The reason I am asking is that i find it amazing that bees can see in a hive.
Therefore I am wondering if the increased amount of light bees receive in an observation hive would also give them an edge in picking off mites.
There is a lot written here and other blogs about SBB and mites. The SBB would also provide more light to the bottom of the hive so you can see were I am going with this.
John
Just having some fun. :-D
I'm not sure about the light, etc., on mites.
I will say that I have had an observation hive for maybe 6 years, and have never really noticed more than an occasional mite, and never DWV.
I do think that observation hives do go through some shutdown and cycles different than the hives in the yard. And they do swarm mid-season almost every year. And I'm sure all this plays into lower mite levels.
Hay Bjorn
Thanks for the info.
I'm not sure of any thing here either. I will be building some equipment for testing but with the hive numbers I'm planing on keeping i will never be able to prove anything.
Thanks
John
I've kept my OH for almost 4 years now. I as well have never seen more than an occasional mite, and never DWV. Come to think of it, I can't remember seeing any mites in the past year.
But I don't know WHY it is. It could be from the light, it could be because there are fewer brood being produced, or it could be because of the size of the hive. I don't know. But, I do always try to incorporate hygienic traits to my colonies, so maybe that plays a roll. Who knows.