package odds

[TwT]

what the percentage of having mites in a package , has anyone ever done a mite count on a new package of bee's?

[Hill's Hivery]

Gee, I would hope that a new package would not have any mites. Is this really a problem to consider? Just wondering as I am expecting a new package soon.

[Jim Fischer]

Doing a sticky-board test soon after introduction
would be a very good idea.

Doing a test would be a very good idea even if
one DID trust one's supplier - it would become
the basis for understanding based upon actual
facts, and would become "confidence", independent
of vague squishy concepts like "trust".

If I found varroa or bees with ANY disease or
pest in a package, I would demand a refund, and
that supplier would never get another order from me.

Its just that simple.

[roger eagles]

We were told the new zealand strain have mites .Its getting to look like its getting to be a constant thing worldly.This comes right from the distributer,co-op

[Jim Fischer]

> We were told the new zealand strain have mites

My understanding was that only the island WITHOUT
mites (the South Island) was exporting bees.

Regardless, the certifications that are made by
the exporter should be very clear as to what
pests and diseases are 100% guaranteed to not
to present in the imported packages. If the
packages do not meet the certification criteria,
then Health Canada needs to have a stern conversation
with NZ MAF and/or NZFSA.

[Joel]

It seems impossible to think that people who are supplying package bees have bees which are completely free of pests or disease. I think the inspectors tags all say "apparrently free". My understanding from hearing Dr. Shimanuki speak at ABF in Norfolk, 1997, every hive tested was positive for disease and pest problems. he inicated that hives, as an organism, succumb to these problems when they are weakened or demoralized. He futher stated that they could test honey and tell when a hive would develop foulbrood. No operation or hive management practice is perfect, or method of control. I would ask for a refund, but I don't expect professionals operating 500 hives of bees in a confined area are going to be absolutly free of pests and disease. I do think the less problems we import from out side the better.