Next , the mullens lab will focus on the role that dust-bathing -- the activity in which a bird intentionally settle into a wallow in the ground and fluffs around to let dust into its feathers -- might play in controlling lice and mites on hens .
Despite their collective efficiency and order , beehives are often plagued by scourges that would rival a medieval city . Varroa mites , deformed wing virus , and intestinal fungi are just a few of the worst .