How common are mites? Is it pretty much a guarentee that your hive will encounter these pests? or is it a location thing? Do they affect other thing, other than the bees? Honey, wax, etc? And, how do the mites make it into the hive, where do they come from? Do they hitch a ride on the bees or crawl in?
I live in Florida, in the Tampa Bay area, North Port to be exact. We are planning to move back to North Carolina at the end of this year. We'll be living in the north east corner of NC, in Moyock, 5 minutes from the Virgina line. I know this is off the subject, but I'm really itching to get into beekeeping. And the more I read here the more I don't want to wait. My plan was to wait the year out and get into it sometime next year after we move. I guess what I'm getting at is, would it be possible to get into it while I'm here, and then possibly move the hive with us when we move. I have nothing now, so I guess something else to look at would be, if I was able to go ahead and start, would there be time for me get ALL (and I do mean all) my equipment together? And of coarse, is there anyone, or a group/club in my area to help me out? Thanks for putting up with all my questions.
Ben