John Mitchell wrote:

>     What if all beekeepers were required to register with the state apiary
> inspection system? (This may already be true in some places)

The beekeepers of Arizona decided to dump the entire inspection system about ten
years ago, supposedly to avoid possible gov't. controls.

>  Provide documentation
> of your regular requeening practices with pure European or Russian honey bees
> (and inspections)

Requeening seldom works in areas flooded with pioneer AHB swarms. Ask the Texas
beekeepers.

>
>    If beekeepers could enlist the state apiary inspection systems to come out
> and inspect each season for AHB, and then provide certification that an
> apiary was AHB-free, local authorities could be placated. Or beekeepers could
> show documentation (provided by queen breeders) that they requeened regularly
> with certified queens from European or Russian stock.

>

See above - how many queens per season are you willing to buy and see killed ??

>

>
>    Here's another idea: What if a representative from the apiary inspection
> program could come and out and talk to

See above - the Arizona beekeepers don't seem to want any inspections

> beekeepers) in an area: Use his credibility and authority as a representative
> of the state

ditto

>
>    Lacking this type of vigorous state support, is there anything a local
> beekeeper can do

I wish I knew .....

>
> requeen frequently. It's not a total guarantee that AHB won't move in, but
> you'll know it immediately and correct the situation when it develops, the
> argument goes.
>

Please, talk to commercial beekeepers in areas flooded with the AHB, then decide.

>
> experiment. Get the focus off the AHB and onto the good things that you are
> doing with your bees that keep them from being Africanized honey bees.

Or, possibly, learn to live with the AHB - it is difficult, but if you are going
to be a beekeeper below the "frost line", this is the time to plan and learn.

The opinions are mine, the lab is federal.
-----------------------------------------------------------
John F. Edwards
Tucson, Arizona
Lab webpage:
http://198.22.133.109/