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Date: | Wed, 26 Apr 1995 09:16:00 -0700 |
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Allen,
In response to your speculative e-mail, I do remember the instance where an
unusual late flow in September in one year, was followed by a poor
wintering year. You are quite correct that for most parts in Alberta,
significant brood rearing would have ceased by the end of September. But I
think the question was not so much about the age of the bees going through
winter, but their physiological condition. It seemed that many of the bees
were just too tired and worn-out by the time winter came in earnest. Many
just didn't have enough stamina left until the next srping season. When
you go back in provincial records, similar trends occured where significant
late season flows were often followed by poor wintering.
In regards to you testing for mites, Allen, I suggest you do. I often
wonder about what is going to happen in Alberta over the next few years.
The substantial traffic of colonies from BC (with its high incidence of
Varroa in some southern areas) to Alberta every year, garantees a healthy
and thriving population of mites in Alberta. Yet, it is my understanding
that only a comparative few actually monitor regularly ie. through Apistan
strip/ sticky board testing. Without this testing, a lot of producers are
setting themselves up for a possible crash.
Best of luck,
Paul van Westendorp [log in to unmask]
Provincial Apiarist
British Columbia
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