Verroa Mites

 I think my bees look really good, the sugar is almost gone, the consistent capped

brood and lots of larvae is signs of a healthy queen.

 On a bee blog it said if you are a beekeeper you are a mitekeeper.

Verroa mites have only been a problem since 1984, 

they can kill a hive if not treated.

I am dusting each deep hive once a week for six weeks

Drawn out comb...it's kind of pretty. So geometrically perfect.

I removed the remains of sugar and placed a sugar syrup feeder.

The sugar syrup acts as nectar which helps stimulates the production of brood in the spring.

 This isn't a good picture and I wish I had a video of a bee stinging Troy's hand.

I have been reading how people will sting their knee joints regularly to help with

arthritis. Troy has been complaining that his thumb joints have been causing his

thumbs to hurt.  I talked him into letting a bee sting him. I put her in the frig to
slow her down. He was getting nervous with the anticipation of being stung.

It took her a minute to warm up, I thought she was dead.

When she finally planted the stinger into his skin, Troy yelled, "ok, get her off".

It was funny.

I felt bad though when his hand swelled up like a blown up latex glove for 3 days.