> I realize others may think this a lame excuse, but remember, these bees
> are a HOBBY, not a living.When (if?) I remove honey from my hives, it is
> for use by my family & friends.I never charge for my honey.My neighbors
> are thrilled to get free jars and, just this year, have been thankful for
> my hives after seeing how our little "oasis" had bountiful fruit &
> vegetable crops compared to their friends living where bees were
> absent.(Feral swarms have vanished here)
 
        Not that you are "unloading" your honey, but giving away honey diminishes
peoples appreciation of this fine product. As gifts and as good neighbor relations
fine. However "unloading" extra honey for free does not convey what a special product
honey is and undermines the public's perception of the value of honey.
 
> what I mean to say is, if we
> continue to pump chemicals into our hives to stop the mites,how can the
> bees EVER build up immunity from them? Nature has a wonderful way of
> balancing things out given time.
 
        Time, ah yes. If my dog has fleas or my kids get lice I'm not going to wait for
the species to evolve an immunity. The same goes for my bees. If my bees have mites
I'll treat. We are at the beginning of understanding effective and proper management.
Control treatment versus preventive treatment is a gray area but as the treatment
becomes more organic preventive treatment will be "organically" acceptable. (Here is
hoping essential oils do the job). No control in the face of an infestation is wasteful
and neglectful. Only control treatment is currently a big gamble. Are my bees
mite-free? Will they be tomorrow? If mite-free should I treat now or harvest the fall
crop? In the face of it for the moment I'll treat.
 
 
        Jim Moore
        [log in to unmask]