--=====================_824871555==_
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
 
To all on the list,
 
   I have attached two files to this e-mail.  This is a part of a
conversation that someone is having on a bulletin board about dealing with
mites.  Unless he lives in a mite-free area, I do not understand how he is
able to keep bees.
 
   The reason I am circulating these messages is that I'd like for others to
realize what some people think about mite control.  I personally believe in
using what we have to prevent mites from destroying our bees until something
better comes along.  I can't and wont allow my bees to perish from mite
infestation.
 
Laura
([log in to unmask])
 
--=====================_824871555==_
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
 
 
If the beekeeping industry and those of us who are hobbiest keep flooding our
hives with chemicals to control the mites we are destroying our love for bees
and this great industry of beekeeping as we know it. Why the journals and the
major beekeeping supply companies push this stuff down our throats amazes me.
We of all groups should know that using an insecticide to kill an very
primitive species of mite only causes that mite to become resistant in a very
short period of time causing us to use ever stronger chemical combatants, all
to the glee of the chemical industry. When will we ever learn that the only
way to fight this type of problem is to breed and to maintain our colonies
the way we should. We should be encouraging anyone that has the time it takes
to breed bees that show strong resistance and let those that do not die. We
should tap into the genetic pool of feral colonies and use their strength to
help fight this on going
problem that costs us so much. I hope more will start speaking up on this
matter. If your one that does not understand the problem chemicals cause go
the the library and read read read. Its all there. We must not taint that
most precious commodity, honey for all the tea in China!!!!
 
--=====================_824871555==_
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
 
 
For those on this board that think that treating mites with Apistan is
correct are really making a long term mistake. No one including myself likes
to have hives die and all the headache that causes. I have been a beekeeper
since age thirteen and I can feel for all who have faced this problem and
other such as AFB. But when dealing with mites the answer is not one of
eradication nor developing resistance bees. Both creatures have lived
together for centuries. The answer lies with developing natural products that
can kill mites and not hurt bees or contanminate honey. Resistant bees are
those that seem to have a better abiltiy to cope with infestation and not
succumb to its affect.
 
Being better stewards of our bees can help tremendously with keeping and even
building reistance to mite attack. Keep the pollen stores up at all times.
This gives the bees the neccessary protein to handle the infestation and cope
with the virus infections that go along with these mites. We must not be lead
down that path of chemical warfare on mites because we will loose in the long
run. To use chemicals with our bees is wrong and should be banned!
 
--=====================_824871555==_--