> restocking the previous autumn's deadouts 
> from the varroa/virus complex with bees 
> the following spring, does not appear to 
> be problematic

> To quote Yankees pitcher Oscar Gamble: “People don’t think it be like it is, but it do.”

Alright then, do you destroy or irradiate all used equipment? Because if you don't you would be doing exactly the same thing, putting "clean bees" onto "dirty equipment."

As I said in a previous post, I had 400 or so hives irradiated, put fresh bees into the equipment and they soon broke down with chalkbrood.

Viruses and other pathogens occur 1) in the equipment; 2) in the environment; and 3) in the bees. Furthermore, as Bailey and Ball said for decades, viruses occur in healthy bees, so the mere presence of pathogens does not make them sick. 

Sanitation is of course essential, but the key to being healthy can't be reduced to "wash your hands." Honestly, are you interested in a discussion or just picking apart other people's statements?

PLB

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