Re. Mite Resistant Beekeepers.
 
    With some dismay, I have followed this exchange of opinions among the
    various parties about the demise of Mike's colonies and Allen Dick's
    response.
 
    As extension specialist and regulator, a major part of my daily work deals
    with offering producers information and advise on how to deal with diseases
    and pests, including parasitic mites.  After reading Mike's initial e.mail
    message, I had this momentary negative response by thinking; My gosh, the
    tell tale signs are right there!  It is so overwhelmingly likely that your
    colonies succumbed to Varroa, why even speculate?  Get testing and treat!
    Plain and simple!
 
    But then (not knowing Mike, where you are located) I thought this beekeeper
    may be in an area where Varroa has not been around for long and where its
    impact has not been felt yet.  As such you had not been confronted yet (at
    least knowingly) to the true severity of the Varroa pest.
 
    As beekeepers in many parts of North America can attest (and Allen, this
    does not include Swalwell in central Alberta yet, where Varroa has so far
    been absent or at very low levels), the correct application and timing of
    mite controls can somtime still lead to serious colony losses!  The fact
    Mike, that you as a keeper of bees, experienced a massive loss due to Varroa
    has not made you any less of a beekeeper!
 
    The whole issue of dealing with Varroa successfully (and the addition of
    HBTM for good measure), is much more complex than just detecting and
    applying controls.   Many beekeepers come to recognize that they have to
    'unlearn' some longheld practices and that now every management step has to
    be carefully considered.  Also, areas  heavily infested with Varroa (and
    especially where there are large numbers of small-time beekeepers),
    successful controls are devilishly difficult and costly because of very
    rapid re-infestations.  I believe that many beekeepers have  been suffering
    massive losses because of re-infestation, not because they didn't apply
    controls.  And this 'failure' has not been limited to small beekeepers but
    very large ones as well.
 
    **Please do not misinterpret my use of the term 'small-time beekeepers'.
    The implication is that an infested area where the total colony population
    is operated by a large beekeeper population, average ownership of numbers of
    colonies is low.  In such area, dissemination of information about mite
    control is more challenging, and the synchronization of mite control
    applications much more difficult to accomplish.**
 
    To answer Mike's original question about his colony losses, I can provide
    you with some factsheets about mite control that may be of help to you.
    Just e.mail direct.
 
    I suggest that all who contribute to the list, 'measure' and evaluate your
    e.mail message and response BEFORE sending it off.   Having unrestricted
    access to this marvelous technology of instant communication does not mean
    we have no responsibility in the manner we communicate!  If the list
    degenerates into an exchange of accusatory and patronizing epistles, I and
    may others will unsubscribe mighty quickly!
 
 
    Paul van Westendorp                         [log in to unmask]
    Provincial Apiarist
    British Columbia