The Surprising Tale of Too Few Mites

Hey Bee Buddies! ✨ So, let me share a fascinating beekeeping journey with you.

Back in ‘96, I set up this test yard for conventional hives and started my mite counting adventure. I was deep into observing the natural mite drop, daily or weekly, you name it. My trays were like a mite-counting chessboard!

I even did a bit of detective work looking for damaged mites. But here’s the kicker – nada! Zilch! Not a single damaged mite. I thought maybe a bee nibbled on a leg, but nothing conclusive.

Lightning Strikes

Fast forward five years, I introduce some bees to small cell comb, and oh boy, did things change! These bees were on a mission, actively detecting and removing mites from sealed cells. No hand lens needed – damaged mites everywhere! Missing legs, fatal bee bite marks – you name it. Broodnest cleansing became a thing.

-Bald headed brood produced when pests are removed from the broodnest.

Then the Thunder

Excited to document this bee behavior, I tried to scan some images, but it was late fall, and the season didn’t allow much hive poking. Next season, armed with a digital camera and all, ready to get those scientific shots.

Well - Not Quite

Guess what? No mites! The bees were too efficient; very few mites fell to the tray. They continued their superhero work, detecting and removing the remaining sealed mites. No uncapped purple-eyed pupa, no trays filled with damaged mites – no dramatic photos!

Bummer

Ever since, my hives have been blissfully mite-free. But, here’s the twist – no broodnest cleansing photos! A bummer for a photographer like me. Those two images above are the only glimpses I have of this magical process.

But hey, my bees are healthy, treatment-free, and this beekeeper is still smiling. The lack of mites even freed up my time and camera for a new project – building a top bar hive. Life takes interesting turns, doesn’t it?

-Stay buzzing, D 🐝🤠