Thoughts on using Drone Traps for mites

[DonZ]

Trying to stay chemical free----I have been using drone traps for the last 2 years--the first year I inspected the first cycle of Drone brood and saw a medium amount of mites--before they filled the second cycle the bees swarmed so that pushed everything back abount 1 month--I did get 1 more cycle after the swarm and saw very few  mites in the Drone brood------Both hives made it thru winter---Last week I inspected my 3rd cycle of traps and found less than 10 mites in 5 full frames of Drone brood--The first & second cycle also really no mites seen---I'm cautiously optimistic that the traps are working and the mites are somewhat under control----any thoughts?

[d]

i INTENDED to try this - this season...but i didn't put it on my schedule and get back to the frames for the actual cutout.  i mostly monitor the sticky boards for "mite count".  i only have a couple hives that might need some intervention before winter - the others are showing very little in mites.  JEFF is the one you need to talk with on this account - he's more "into" it.  i believe it works - but one has to be DILIGENT with the timing!!!!

i'll look at the situation at that time.  they'll have enough of the year left to straighten things out if i have to go in there and do something (cut outs)

i'm gonna drop jeff a line to REMIND him to get in here. :)