Dear U S bee-l readers. My concern with the many posting sharing back yard remedies and different types of formulas approved and unproved and deviation from manufactures application labeling was not a shot at good beekeepers and their struggle to save their bees it was a alarm that conversation on the list at many times sounded like a bunch of good old boys looking for badly needed solutions regardless of what was legal and approved. This got me concerned that the message on a system like this BEE- L should be a forum for the repeated message of the importance of strict compliance with manufactures labels instructions without deviation when administering medications to the bee hive. I do think TM is a drug and regret the wording in my post as my point was that we only have to resort to TM infrequently and always in compliance with the manufactures label instructions. Many Hawaii beekeepers have never used TM in their hives. TM used correctly can be used even in an organic honey certification process according to the organic standards I have read. I do not want to separate Hawaii from mainland U S beekeepers as we all must work together. I certainly don't want to create any alienation by my actions. I really feel that if the Hawaii honeybees test out clean that they should be protected as a national resource. I know lots of good U S beekeepers are trying hard every day to produce the best bee hive products on earth and I respect these people and I feel that continued conversations could only cause others that might read or be asked to read some of the posting about home remedies could only be fuel for concern if put before the public . Please don't be too quick to judge and I will continue to ask questions where I feel that answers are needed. I really come from a good place and I ma be burdened with an issueworthy of investigating. We do not have a advocate for honeybees in the USDA. We need to get organized in demanding some answers and not ever get complacent in or demands for understanding. We are the keepers of the bees and we must develop a unified voice with our needs. Sincerely Walter Walter & Elisabeth Patton, 27-703 A Ka' ie'ie Rd., Papaikou HI.,96781 Ph./Fax. 808-964-5401 E-Mail hihoney@ilhawaii Beekeeper and Bed & Breakfast Owner in Hawaii http://www.alohamall.com/hamakua/hihoney.htm http://www.alohamall.com/hamakua/beeware.htm http://www.alohamall.com/hamakua/lamalani.htm