(http://s9.postimg.org/pu4w3gtp7/bee_with_deformed_wings_June_2013_center_tardis.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/pu4w3gtp7/)
Found this bee with deformed wings [right side of pic] in my last inspection. I looked for others with bad wings after I found her, but didn't see any.
Deformed wings are bad... that's all I know. Anything you guys can tell me about what this means or looks like [if anything] would be appreciated.
Look for mites.
Steve
.
Mites do that. When you have a handfull of white pupae and wingless ready bees on yout hive entrance, or you see wingless young bees on the frame like porriage, then things are in bad situation.
.
DWV was around long before Varroa, but Varroa spread it faster. If there are lot of them you probably have a problem. If there are very few, you probably don't. You can always do a count of Varroa from either a natural drop over 24 hours or a sugar shake.
Thanks for the help. I've got a bottom board under them now and will check that tomorrow.
How many mites is too many in a 24 hr period?
Here in Fl. 60 in a 24hr period is the treatment threshold.
How many mites are too many with a sugar shake?
>How many mites are too many with a sugar shake?
Six or seven is a bit high, but I've seen people who had dozens. That is assuming one cup of bees...