Dear List,

This might seem a bit of a stretch, but I suggest that there is a more
gentle and compassionate perspective that could prove realistic in viewing
varroa which could be called "compassionate destruction".  Perhaps someday
we will spray a solution into our hives that contains a bacteria/virus that
kills varroa but is harmless to bees. I know this idea has been raised at
least once on this list, does anyone know of research that points to a
solution here?

Mites have seen a huge population explosion it seems that nature would find
a way to paratisize the parasites. So, in a paradoxical way, I hope that
people could raise varroa (to isolate and raise what kills varroa in
nature).

We do need a new perspective-it seems to me that the two camps
(chemical/non-chemical) which have provided so much interesting thought
lately on varroa are both trying to defend the positive aspects of their
positions but can't escape the respective (and quite real) negatives to each
side.

Thanks,

Ed Boutin
(who sometimes mediates and loves reading witty tag lines but can't think of
a one).

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and  other info ---
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::