>
> >I'm curious to know how often throughout the season you recommend for
> monitoring.  Mind you, I believe you're in California, so your
> "season" will be quite different from mine in Montreal.  ;-)


Hi Anne,

I can imagine how difficult it must be for a beginner to draw management
recommendations from a discussion such as this, in which those who post
disagree so thoroughly on basic points.

I don't like to make recommendations; I prefer to explain the biology and
math, and then to allow each beekeeper to make his or her own management
decisions.

However, one suggestion is to take the advice on this List of those who
speak with authority with a grain of salt--or a teaspoon as far as some of
the authorities are concerned (look for inflammatory words such as
"desperate," "cling," or "fantasy").

I suggest is that you first make every effort to understand bee and varroa
biology, and then consult with successful local commercial beekeepers for
recommendations.  By "successful," I mean those who aren't complaining
every year, but rather putting money into the bank.

I wish you the best of luck with your beekeeping : )

-- 
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

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