I did not have visual confirmation of mites, but did find a few deformed wings on dead bees in October.
RESPONSE: We do not believe seeing mites on bees or deformed wing bees are useful for predicting mite infestation. We know our bees have mites. When we see a mite on an adult bee and see bees with Deformed wings –we are seeing the “tip” of the iceberg – that colony has mites at a high enough level to be at extreme risk of NOT surviving winter.