> Bob, I feel that it does a disservice to the research community to paint
> the
> scientists with the broad black or white brushstrokes that you express.

As far as pesticide issues are concerned I come from the time of Penncap M.
Responsible for more bee death than any other pesticide ever used around
bees.(until now maybe the neonicotinoids) Researchers have danced around the
subject for 20 years. Beekeepers have lost millions of hives to pesticides
and science has not been able but in only a few rare cases able to prove the
source of the problem.

Go up to those 15,000 hives which you posted the beeks suspected a spray
kill and let science prove what killed those hives.  Beekeepers in Florida
had what they considered an iron clad law suit for a pesticide kill but
lost. The beekeepers spent ( lost) around $250,000 in legal fees.

I do not care what researchers think or hypothesis about pesticides. I care
about the the science can prove in a court of law.

I posted that Penn State knew as did the USDA-ARS that little could be done
for contaminated comb from legal use of checkmite & Apistan yet no roar.


Have you read the December Bee Culture article by Reed Johnson "When
varroacides interact"?

Explains quite a bit about what is killing hives in many commercial 
operations in
my opinion.

Also explains in my opinion why many are keeping good bees. Clean comb & 
control varroa and nosema & provide good nutrician and you get good bees.


bob

"Stupidity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different
result"

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