> At some point, going back to skeps and gums may actually prove more profitable for pollinating, and that is where the money is for many beekeepers.

I assume you are being facetious, but really -- frame hives are not the problem. You don't have to move the frames, you can keep them like box hives. I have seen hives where the queen excluder was moved so rarely, it was completely covered by burr comb. 

Fact is, there are already too many people keeping frame hives by the "let alone" method and that doesn't work any better than mucking about with them. What is needed is educated beekeeping. When I handle a frame, I make it count. When one moves a frame from one hive to another, the potential gain should outweigh the possible risk.

Pete

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