quote:
Often cited as the way to go is Integrated Pest Management - viewed as
difficult, costly and in some circumstances as things stand not a real
alternative. How about trying Integrated Bee Production?

reply:
Integrated Pest Management is not difficult, costly, nor not a real
alternative. It is the only rational way to deal with pests and is adopted
by all pest control educators and regulators. It involves using a hierarchy
of controls starting with mechanical (cleanliness), cultural (practices),
biological (BT), and pesticides *as needed*. If pesticides are not needed,
they aren't used. This contrasts with the old school of spray first, ask
questions later. That method is not cost effective, creates problems, and
is plain dumb.

Every bee breeder is fully aware that a commercially viable honey bee must
have a full range of desirable traits. A bee that doesn't get sick -- but
won't work -- is useless. Anyone who has talked to Dave DeJong knows that
the South Americans are generally satisfied with the bee that they have
got. In fact, there is very little talk of requeening, since the bees
generally take care of themselves. Africanized bees are pretty hard to
requeen in any case. Maybe we will all use this bee eventually.