> As you put together the list of resistant queen producers and breeders, it 
> would be good to specify their degree of resistance (low, below average, 
> average, above average, outstanding).  I have no evidence for undermining 
> anyone's claims, but unless independently verified, these are just claims.

That is true.  How are we to know what you are asking, though?
>
> As a potential customer, I'd like to know if they use treatments or not. 
> I am not in the market but, if I were, I would only buy queens from 
> producers who use zero treatments.  I've heard of a couple such producers.

What does that mean?  Zero on all?  Zero on some?  Zero for how long?  I 
hear lots of things, but believe very little.

What about production, wintering, swarming, gentleness?  Is survival the 
only thing we seek?

Oversimplification and comparison of incomparables has marred this 
discussion from the start.  More than a few liars and fuzzy thinkers in the 
mix has not helped.

I read an article by a wise old farmer in a farm paper once.  He said, given 
a choice between a number of options including extremes, pick the one in the 
middle every time.  You seldom go wrong that way.  Makes sense to me.

Bees that are resistant in one locality or circumstance may not be in 
another.  Let's not be extreme.  I'm not looking for perfection.  I'm 
looking for those moving in the right direction.

Only time and many trials will tell.

 

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