Observations on Drones, a free lunch, and Mites

[CoolBees]

I have 3 hives with SBB'S - specifically H1, H2, & H3. I keep sticky boards on them that I change monthly (or as needed) so I can get a feel for what's going on.

Last week I noticed H3's mite drop rising dramatically. I changed all the sticky boards last Thursday the 4th.

Also note - H1 is in a brood break right now, with the queen having been moved to a Nuc.

This morning, after 3.5 days, I checked sticky boards. H3 = 650+ mites. H1 (in brood break) has 164 mites.

Original data - alcohol wash:
H1 - 1/13/19 - 1 mite
H3 - 12/30/18 - 5 mites

Both hives have raised lots of drones. H3 is 5 8-frames tall. H1 is 10 frame, 1 deep and 2 mediums. Both are packed (even after splits).

I've noticed that most of the drones have seemed to end up over in H3. I'm guessing the reason for this is that H3 has 3 boxes of open nectar, and very little capped honey - its rained a lot this year, and the flow has been strong. The drones are covering every frame, just sucking down a Free Lunch.

... so my assumption was - that the drones were going to H3 for a Free Lunch, and transferring their mites in the process.

However - just prior to posting this, I did the math. Then I cried.

If ... the queen lays 1000 eggs per day (average), and 60% of those are worker, and 40% are drones, ... and if, the mites multiply at 2.2 per worker, and 5 per drone ... and estimating both hives to have a starting value of 8,500 bees ...

Then: H1 has produced 1,800 mites. H3 has produced 37,000 mites. ... since their last respective alcohol washes.

So my theory that all the drones coming to H3 is causing it's mite level to spike - gets thrown out the window.

Which leads to a new problem - how to treat with open nectar. I'm thinking of pulling [most] all nectar/honey frames, throwing them in the freezer for now (I have big freezers) - treating OAV, and then when it's safe, putting those frames back on the hives so the bees can finish their job.

What should I do? ... your thoughts are always appreciated.

Alan

[BeeMaster2]

Alan,
With those mite levels I would do the same. Use beequick to move them down and pull them.
BTW,
Drone production isn?t that much. More like 15 to 20 percent on a good hive. I do suspect that the drones have moved to H3. I have seen it here and at BobSim?s Apiary. His was so bad that we thought a swarm was moving into his hive until we looked closer and realized they were all drones. He probably had a DCA right next to his hives. You may also.
Jim Altmiller

[CoolBees]

Jim, I've been wondering that. H3 was full of drones before that hive started hatching them this year. My hives are set on the side of a hill on the sunny side of a straight wall of pine trees, facing mostly south. ... maybe that's why my mite loads are so dang high. .... meanwhile, I'll redo my math with your numbers and see where that leads.

... I can definitely see now, why I lost hives. With these loads, nothing could survive.

[CoolBees]

Here's the adjusted numbers estimate - based on Jim's laying ratios:

@ 80/20 (workers/drones):
H1 = 1,250 mites
H3 = 20,000 mites

@ 85/15 (workers/drones):
H1 = 1,100 mites
H3 = 16,000 mites

What a difference those 4 extra mites (per 300 bees) and 2 additional weeks makes!

[BeeMaster2]

Alan,
The next time you are in H3, pull a capped drone frame and with a decapping fork, pull a bunch of drone brood out and see how many mites are on them.
Jim Altmiller

[CoolBees]

I'll do that Jim. I'll probably be in there Wednesday. Tomorrow I'll put on bee-escapes on both, then pull frames Wednesday.

[CoolBees]

Here the sticky boards for both.

H1 was near zero might drop until the 2nd week of its brood break.

H1 ...


Here's H2 ...
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[CoolBees]

Ugh. Posting pictures here is difficult.

Try again for H1 ...
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