Hello Mark & All,

  >But isn't there some idea of what the actual number is amongst those who
got this ball rolling in the first place?

If you want to go back to the start I would read the excellent article by
Dick Marron "Die Off". Page 299 of the April American Bee journal.

I have spoke with David Hackenburg ( first to report CCD)several times about
his situation and Dick's article goes right along with the things David told
me he saw in his bees.

I spoke with Lance Sundberg at the ABF convention about his losses. Lance
reported at the convention that a whole load of 450 hives went from super
strong to dead in two weeks.

Not that I am a bee expert ( like the handle a few like to use when speaking
to the media) but both Lance and David came to me to ask my thoughts on
their situation.

I have been friends with both these guys for many many years. Both are
beekeepers  I respect. If they say they had unexplained losses ( symptoms)
then I am inclined to side with those guys.

These guys have been keeping bees for years and I am sure are well aware of
what regular deadouts look like.

While researchers try to sort things out the industry is moving on.

 Left turn, right turn or straight ahead. What happened last year is history
now. However next fall will be the moment of truth about CCD. Right now bees
are out running CCD from what I can tell.

A question which has not been raised is "does requeening help the CCD hive
recover quicker?" Reports from Florida is that the CCD survival hives still
are not thriving.

It *appears* some races of bees are involved more than others but too early
to put a finger which ones for sure.

I personally are looking at my bees closer than normal this year hoping to
see a CCD problem starting in time to try and correct the problem. I am
watching varroa loads closely and even treated my package bees with
sucracide when  installed. Did a spring miteaway 2 treatment on over
wintered hives.

We all need to be the best beekeepers we can and be watchful for the signs
of CCD. Those commercial beekeepers in my area which think they see CCD
starting in August please contact me and I will come and take a look. I
would like to see if moving hives to a different area would reverse the
effects. Also shaking the hive on to foundation.

An interesting fact common to both David Hackenburg & Lance Sundberg was
that both their bees looked great but crashed on arrival in another state in
a couple weeks. Maybe coincidence or not?

Mark asked about the CCD start so I revisited the start.

Sincerely,
Bob Harrison


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