At 02:56 PM 8/21/96 -0400, you wrote:
>Recently, a thread was posted about do-nothing bee-keepers who allow
>their hives to become pools of mite infestation.I also read several
>replies and, after being roasted here last year by expressing a similar
>opinion,I gave much thought to this post.
>        First, let me state that I am a do-nothing bee-keeper, in as far
>as it pertains to chemical additions to my hives.Before you pull out the
>flame-throwers,let me give MY reasons.
>
 
We all have our own reasons for the way we treat our bees and if your
management works for you then good.  I would suggest, however, that you are
kidding yourself if you believe your bees will remain disease and pest free.
Whether you have 4 colonies or 4,000 colonies it is still expensive to
replace dead and dieing bees.
 
My suggestion to you is that you monitor your hives for foulbrood and mites
very carefully.  If your bees are 'clean' you pose no threat to your
neighbors and they should not complain.  However, if you find problems then
you will be forced to deal with them to try to keep your bees healthy as
well as a responsibility to your neighbors.
 
Good luck at keeping your bees healthy.
Eric Abell
Gibbons, Alberta Canada
(403) 998 3143
[log in to unmask]