----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob Harrison" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, October 18, 2004 7:18 AM
Subject: Re: [BEE-L] Re Varroa Mite levels


> Peter said:
> Result: 2 mites obtained.
>
> I would not treat!
>
> Bob
>

 Dear Bob and All,
What we have is more on the lines of a genetic shift. Both the mites and
bees.
The ones that treated too much are getting the rewards now. Major loss do to
resistance.
California in the US is in a big mess. 15,000 hives down and counting.
They are trying all the chemicals. They have been using a 3 day spread to
see if anything works.
At this writing  Mites 100 - beekeepers 0  . The good news comes after it is
all over.
The stock that is left has a chance.More knowledge and application to the
knowledge will save beekeeping.
Chemicals are out.The wonderful work that the Rinderer group are doing will
pay off for all of us.
Two years ago I requeened 180 %. I was culling out for hygienic behavior.. I
have gone 3 years with out chemicals..
You have to learn from the bees.They will show you , but you need to
understand that they may have some different traits.
Queen cells is one of them. Check on the 8th day and see that they have
broken it down on there own.
They can get a little more aggressive if the weather turn bad. They love to
protect the hive.
I us screen boards on all my hives..
We need to let the weak ones go down or requeen.
This is not a cake walk. We do need a lot of help from the queen breeders.
They need to pay very close attending to there breeder stock.
Stop to think about it, after 30,000,000 year with out chemicals and the bee
is still here , stop and watch what they do.
We may have to change some management ideas , but it is well worth it.
Mites are going in cycles , just like everything else in nature. Don't go
deeper, you will get lost. Very complex , this thing nature.
I would like to thank Dee for Her work and the guts to go against the
flow.Think NO chemicals in beekeeping and you will win in the long run.
Best Regards
Roy Nettlebeck
Tahuya River Apiaries
Tahuya Wa. 98588

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