When there is brood present only about 15% of mites are on the house and worker bees, the rest are in the brood cells.
So doing a drop test now is only indicative, compare to this time in previous years.
Best to do this test again during the phoretic stage when the only mites are on the winter bees.
I keep Amm honeybees and these will certainly have a winter broodless period.
So what I'm doing now is just keeping an eye on matters and I will do a final test mid December and then make my decision to oxalic trickle treat or not.
Such a test is very simple and it alone (IMO) justifies open mesh floors, besides other benefits.
I think beginners read all post and it would be a shame if they were discouraged from trying this very simple and non-intrusive monitoring for themselves.
Meanwhile, for the experienced - each to their own.
So doing a drop test now is only indicative, compare to this time in previous years.
Best to do this test again during the phoretic stage when the only mites are on the winter bees.
I keep Amm honeybees and these will certainly have a winter broodless period.
So what I'm doing now is just keeping an eye on matters and I will do a final test mid December and then make my decision to oxalic trickle treat or not.
Such a test is very simple and it alone (IMO) justifies open mesh floors, besides other benefits.
I think beginners read all post and it would be a shame if they were discouraged from trying this very simple and non-intrusive monitoring for themselves.
Meanwhile, for the experienced - each to their own.