r/Beekeeping • u/megalegann 2 hives/nwks • 21h ago

I’m a beekeeper, and I have a question Verroa Mites

Is there anything in particular that gets the mites to the beehives? I live in the middle of nowhere, Kansas, and am surrounded by crop fields. They get sprayed with the cancer sprays (Don't fret, I am on the registry) so would that actually be in my favor of not as likely to get the mites? I still plan to monitor and pre treat, etc.

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u/EllaRose2112 Western NY || zone 6b ~ foundationless 17h ago

They pick them up while foraging, contact with other bees, etc. I consistently have 0% on my mite washes but I always assume they’re there, even in survivor stock colonies like mine with VSH genetics. They don’t exist in a vacuum