Sugar dusting; just the brood area?

[mhorowit]

I"m watching Phil Chandler dusting for varorra. He is only dusting the brood area. Anyone know why only there? There are bees all over the hive and I assume they would be just as likely to have "hitchhikers" - Mike

[beemandan]

I assume they would be just as likely to have "hitchhikers" - Mike

Mites will likely be more concentrated on the nurse bees in the brood area...but, in my opinion, as long as you're dusting, why not dust 'em all?

[Ravenseye]

Dusting just the brood area increases the odds that you're treating bees that are in direct contact with mites. Nurse bees take care of brood. Brood is what mites are interested in. That's why. However, my time only allows me to treat the colony so I dust them all. I concentrate on the brood boxes but I start on top and work my way down. I just make sure the brood box(es) are well dusted.