Varroa Destructor

Now that we have near summer temperatures and the bees are flying about like crazy collection pollen, did a full inspection as I am still very worried about the state of the hive.

So it was with great relief when I opened it up to find the Queen Bee alive. The population of bees is very low but there is enough stored food. Somehow though have the feeling that the Queen is at a bit of a loss as to what to do. Does she start laying eggs or not? Normally the "season" doesn't start until April and does she have enough folk to keep the eggs/brood warm should it turn cold again?

Only later in the evening when I was looking at the photos taken of the bees did I notice the one I have used above. A varroa mite sitting on the back of the neck of a bee & literally sucking the life out of her. One knows one always has a number of these killers despite the acid treatments we subject them to. The sight makes every beekeeper mad.

So some good news and a sad reminder that one has to keep fighting some unpleasant destructive elements in this world.