Frustrated by losses.

[rdy-b]

"thats a good survival rate did you treat for mites--RDY-B"

No, I didn't.

well keep them going - :) RDY-B

[alfred]

Thanks everyone for all of the encouraging replies.

I did not treat for mites this fall. I didn't see very many falling under the screens and I would rather not treat. Like I said I had very strong collonies in the fall. In the past I have used oxcylic acid vapor when I felt that it was needed. I will definitly do it this year regardless.

There was no moisture in the bottom of the hives so I don't think that that was a problem but I will probably have a bottom opening along with my top entrances to help ventillation next winter.

I used an insulative wrap so it is hard for me to belive that cold was the culprit.

My feeling now is that it was probably mites.... I left the debris on the bottom boards the other day when I checked them out. If I get a chance this weekend I will inspect the debis more closely to see about mites.

Alfred

[Kathyp]

forgot to mention until i was chatting with another....we had a nasty spring and very little summer.  they had plenty of stores because i fed, but never did build up as they should have.  my losses probably had a weather component.

[FRAMEshift]

Kathy, I just read an interesting article about how honey components amplify the cytochrome P450 detoxification system.  I'll start a separate thread about this, but one thing that stands out is that sugar is not as good as honey for helping to neutralize aflatoxin.  I had to feed lots of syrup this year so I'm wondering if that might also be a factor.

[Kathyp]

i'm sure they do better with what they collect.  i have to revise my losses though.  today i saw orientation flights at one of the hives i was sure i had lost.  not many bees, but it was encouraging.  they might make it.