At 06:36 PM 5/8/96 +0000, you wrote:
> Hello All,  Here in western Washington USA the press has started to talk
>about the lack of bees this year.People do notice that there apple trees
>have no bees on them , when they are in full bloom. I think the Honeybee
>will do her own PR work to get help.Maybe the negative press that
>beekeepers did get about government hand outs , might go over the sunset.
>   You don't have to say too much to the public , just tell them to look
>for themselves. We must have had feral colonys all over western
>washington. It looks bleak to people that have there special fruit tree
>and no bees to pollenate it.Maybe this is a good wake up call for
>everyone.A lot of animals and birds depends on seeds and wild fruit for
>survival.
>  We are not having the best of weather around the country either. This
>should bring out the best in us as, beekeepers and researchers. We can
>not take any part of this mite problem , as just one problem.It is
>complex with Varroa a known vector for 3 viruses. Ten out of ten states
>checked for virus , show positive results. It would be very benificial
>for every beekeeper to try and find a hive with a low cout of Varroa in
>the fall. The USDA needs our help and we need theres. It would be nice to
>get a little feedback on how many Queens they have recieved to work with
>on a breeding program against Varroa. I know that some beekeepers are
>doing that themselves also.
> Real feral colonys are going to 0 around here. By next spring bees will
>be in great demand for small farmers.It looks like we can all learn
>something out of this problem.The Honeybee is more than a latin name in a
>biology book, it is a key player in all of nature. I know why a lady went
>on to get a PhD., so she could even learn more about this wonderful
>insect.She is one of many , who are trying to study and learn more about
>our honeybee.All of us need to help in any way that we can. Just by
>looking at our bees a little closser and paying a little more attention
>to there behavior , we may see something that can help everyone.
>  I worked with my bees yesterday, we had sun and a lot of wind at my
>place. I did some requeening and splits. I came accross 4 or 5 hives that
>were low on brood and just not doing well. I requeened them , but it was
>more than a new queen could do for them. I'm going to check for TM. I
>guess I look back at beekeeping before the mites and it was easy to get a
>hive of carni's up in 3 deeps full of brood in may and about 200 pounds
>of honey in the fall. Now I hope to get them thru the winter and going at
>all during the spring. I have some hives that are in 4 deeps and 2 supers
>right now.I have a new queen in there also.I started feeding pollen and
>syurp in Jan.We had a mild wet winter.Now you better be on top of your
>bees or your out of bees.I will be glad to look back at this time and say
>, boy we made it with a lot of work by many.
> Best Regards
>Roy
>Hi All
 
There was also a story on Headline News Network this week about the lack of
Honey Bees both feral and kept.
 
Frank Humphrey