Trachael Mites Worse Now?

[BeeAware]

Seems I am seeing a lot more bees crawling in the grass near the hives this year. Some with unnatural wing configuration etc. I presume this is due to Trachael mites and was wondering if others are seeing more of this than in the past. I've never seen more than a few bees like this until this year.

[Michael Palmer]

I think you're right. Tracheal mite problems were worse this year, than in many previous years. I'm hearing reports from all over. Tony J in Maine did some testing. Cut bees from dead, poopy colonies...those with black tar poop around the upper entrance. He told me they were 95% infested. I'm seeing the samer here in Vermont, although I don't have a microscope to look for TM.

We haven't had a bad winter in years, here. Winter losses in my bees have been low. Not this year. Perhaps the more susceptable bees finally lost it.

[Robert Brenchley]

What's changed this year to lead to more deaths? I wonder how far they're directly down to TM, and how far to viruses or other causes?

[Michael Palmer]

Good question Robert. Any ideas?

[Keith Jarrett]

Robert wrote,
What's changed this year to lead to more deaths? I wonder how far they're directly down to TM, and how far to viruses or other causes

I have some freinds that stop in Idaho, to winter in potato cellars for a few months on there way to Calif almonds.They did test of TM and had high levels came back.They treated before they put them to bed, but said other did not.I have heard that during a hard honey flow they are almost not detectable.
Keith