Hi Sid

The combs in question died of isolation from the rest of the colony...not an
unknown cause. If there was any doubt about that I would not have made the
sugestion. If you look back at the previous mail you will see that the
originator of the thread confirmed this.

If the cause had been unknown then your suggestions should come into play.
Followed by the bonfire if any doubt persists.

There are many of us learning the microscopy skills required as our beloved
governent has decreed that we will have to pay for this service from next
year.

I think that this is an unwise decision as I expect many will not avail
themselves of the new service, and bee health in general will suffer as a
result.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Sid Pullinger" <[log in to unmask]>

with the exception of death by obvious starvation, no
> one can be certain and I suggest that giving sick combs to a number of
> healthy colonies to clean up is a recipe for disaster. After all, are ten
> sick combs worth the trouble and the chance of spreading disease through
> the whole apiary? If you must salvage the combs give them to a swarm. That
> way only one stock is involved.

I would not want to put 10 or 11 combs like this in a swarm as they would
only clear enough space for their immediate needs.


Best Regards Dave Cushman (UK Midlands)
G8MZY
Email: [log in to unmask]
Web: http://website.lineone.net/~dave.cushman