Mike said:
> Seems nobody cares about SHB. I just found beetles
> this summer in northern Vermont. They were sent
> here in nucs from South Carolina.

If you buy packages from known areas of SHB then you run the risk
*regardless what an underfunded inspection service says* of getting a few
SHB.

If you buy queens from a area known to be an area of Africanized hybrids
then you might get a AHB queen. Since the AHB has arrived many of us have
seen *hot* bees with AHB traits. You simply dispatch the queen and requeen.

Jim said:
If SHB are not firmly established and widespread in
your state, it is well worth having a talk with your
state apiarist to find out the state's stance on this
issue, and lobby for a much more strict enforcement.

Legislation & enforcement has not stopped a introduced bee pest yet. SHB is
not a big enough  risk to beekeepers to shut down the huge migratory
pollination industry, southern states or California queen & package bee
business.

Checking every package is simply not possible and northern beekeepers need
the southern & California packages and queens.

With tens of thousands of hives crashing in the U.S. right now more than
ever (from varroa resistant to both Apistan & Checkmite) do beekeepers need
those bees & packages.

How many beekeepers would be keeping bees in five years if you could not get
a replacement queen or package  over the next five years? Hmmm.

Bob

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and  other info ---
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::