>Considering the percentage of beekeepers who don't participate, how can any conclusions be accurate or valid? Probably has something to do with statistical analysis? I wonder the same thing about the USDA/ARS Surveys.

I wonder how many who fill them out really know what killed the hive. I sometimes have little idea. I look for varroa scat, see none, and attribute it to qeenlessness unless there are lots of bees still in the hive. Then I blame starvation. But I generally blame PPBK and try to figure out how to keep more alive. I know some in this area that call all their dead hives CCD or pesticide kills. Neither are correct when I look at the hives, but I'll bet they put that on the report. too easy to fudge the report. I have ceased filling it out.

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