My Bees Survived The WInter/What Do Mites Look Like

[SandyC]

I was out taking a good look at my hive this morning. It lookes like it came through our harsh winter just fine!!!! I saw some bees flying around and could hear a lot of noise inside!!!! I pulled out the lower board to see what was on it and I didn't know if there were any mites on it or not, because I don't know what they look like, but see anything that looked "bug like", so is there anywhere I can go that would show a good picture of them?
Thanks!

[SandyC]

I saw the pictures of the mites on the "pests" board. I wish now, that I hadn't cleaned the board off yet, before seeing that picture...I'm not sure if I saw any of those little beasts or not...but I think not!!!

[Konrad]

Hm..I'm in the same boat, haven't seen a mite either!
But one should do a mite count in spring with a sticky board [24 hr.]
Konrad

[Michael Bush]

http://www.bushfarms.com/images/Varroa2.jpg
http://www.bushfarms.com/images/Varroa3.jpg

Here are a couple still on the bees.

Try this:
http://images.google.com/images?q=%22Varroa+mites%22&hl=en

Here's some on a bottom board:
www.algonet.se/.../ (http://www.algonet.se/.../) oxalic/oxalic-1-nf.htm

[SandyC]

Thankyou Micheal. I am going to go take a looky again tomorrow. They were very active (the bees) today!!!!

[Michael Bush]

Here's how to tell if you HAVE mites:

http://entomology.unl.edu/beekpg/tidings/btid2000/btdjan00.htm#Article2

or this

http://maarec.cas.psu.edu/pest&disease/sl23.html

Or just use a sticky board or look on the tray of a Screened Bottom Board.