Al wrote:
 This might be of interest:

 http://www.nba.org.nz/pms/manual/man08.htm

Hello All,
After taking a look at this NZ site AFB section I think all interested
in controling AFB without chemicals should take a look. I will make a
few comments:
8.7 Sterilising beehive equipment: Talks about the use off paraffin wax
which has been discussed on bee-l before.  A important point was brought
up and because many beekeepers now are using paraffin wax to coat the
inside of hivetop feeders should be posted.
Although paraffin wax is safe to use under normal conditions.  Water
should NEVER be used on a paraffin wax fire ,since it WILL cause a
explosion.  I have ten vats and make cut & curl candles and have never
had a fire but left unattended if a heat limit control should fail
letting the temperature rise to the flash point then?  I keep a sign
posted saying do not use water in case of fire and keep a ABC grade fire
extinguisher handy.

8.7.2 Sodium Hypochlorite(active ingredient in household bleach)
quote: Research conducted at Kaukura has shown that 5% concentration of
bleach will kill all AFB spores in 20 minutes.
comments:
I find it refreshing to see this finnally put before beekeepers as i
said years ago back when P.F. Thurber and many others were working on
the the Ethylene Oxide Fumigation angle that i couldn't believe bleach
would not kill the spores.  The only problem with the bleach solution is
the solution has to contact the spores. To simple they told me. A huge
machine has to be built and hauled by truck to the apiaries and each
piece of equipment is put in the machine for a certain amount of time.

I might add that the late  P.F.(Roy) Thurber still remains one of the
best and knowledgeable beekeepers of this century.  His only book(now
only in hands of collectors) is refered to by me every once in a while.
If you ever see a paperback book (brown in color) named *Bee Chats,Tips
and Gadgets* by P.F.(Roy) Thurber buy the book!  I was lucky enough to
get one of the last remaining copies after his death.  The book is a
collection of all the articles he had ever seen on beekeeping he thought
was important and the results of his experiments on different ways to
keep bees.  The book includes many inventions of his to make beekeeping
easier.  Also the largest section on ETO fumigation (his pet project)I
have ever seen.  Although i never met Roy I allways enjoyed reading his
articles in the American Bee Journal.
Sincerely,
Bob Harrison
P.S. I will not ever sell my copy but leave with my collection to the
Midwestern Beekeepers Assn. after my death.  If there are copies out
there of this rare publication and for sale I feel sure the moderators
might post for those interested.