I'll kick this off with Chris's post.

[Dibbler]

Good to hear Dibbler’s story.

There are varroa resistant traits all around the UK, where bees’ hygienic adjustments to mites have taken place. We now know how to identify these traits, from peer reviewed research, and how beekeepers can identify and select for them.

An education / science website was launched last year (www.varroaresistant.uk) led by Emeritus Professor Stephen Martin. And for those interested in the practical guide of “how to do it” for beekeepers, there’s “The Honey Bee Solution to Varroa” published by Northern Bee Books. (Dani / Phil: hope that’s ok to mention)

That is good to know Steve. I've put your information in my notes and I will certainly look it up when I'm back from my holiday.
The book looks a good one to add to my Christmas list

 

[Erichalfbee]

Dani / Phil: hope that’s ok to mention)

Yep. Fine

 

[Dibbler]

Update. I've recently been called to collect a swarm from inside a duvet on a line.
I've put them in a hive and they seem to be doing fine.
I've put them in my quarantine location as I've no idea what their resistance to any mites etc are.

My question. How long would you keep a ferral hive away from your main colonies?
Do others do this ?
I'm asking as since my stroke the quarantine location is not the easiest to walk on.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

My question. How long would you keep a ferral hive away from your main colonies?

a full brood cycle basically - you need to check whether there is any evidence of either type of foulbrood.

 

[bontbee]

Has anyone seen mites "embedded" in brood cappings. I keep meaning to take a pic but, stupidly, never take my camera when out with the bees. I've seen it for about the last three years. Varroa are stuck, almost "submerged" in the upper layer of the cappings. I wondered if it is a deliberate action by the bees, or just bad luck on the mite's behalf?

 

[Steve at Westerham Beeks]

Has anyone seen mites "embedded" in brood cappings. I keep meaning to take a pic but, stupidly, never take my camera when out with the bees. I've seen it for about the last three years. Varroa are stuck, almost "submerged" in the upper layer of the cappings. I wondered if it is a deliberate action by the bees, or just bad luck on the mite's behalf?

Never seen varroa in the cappings. Sometimes pupa, at the purple-eyed stage can look like mites, where bees have partially uncapped the cell or recapped it. This is more the case where drone brood, with their larger eyes visible through the partially recapped cell. I'll attempt to publish a photo.

 

[Steve at Westerham Beeks]

Never seen varroa in the cappings. Sometimes pupa, at the purple-eyed stage can look like mites, where bees have partially uncapped the cell or recapped it. This is more the case where drone brood, with their larger eyes visible through the partially recapped cell. I'll attempt to publish a photo.

 

[bontbee]

View attachment 40533

Yes, I've seen the above, but this is definitely varroa "captured" in the capping. I will have to risk propolising my camera!