These discussions seem to always go into the realm of good guys-bad guys. At
our state Annual meeting we had an organic beekeeper talk and it was more of
the same with the evil chemical beekeeper pouring 55 gal drums of pesticide
on every bee which is why they lost all their bees to CCD. While organic
beekeepers have never lost a colony to CCD and are always bathed in green
light.

The real issue that defines any use of pesticides is need. If need were not
there then there would be no chemicals. Back before Tracheal and Varroa
there were chemicals introduced into the hives but limited as the problems
were limited. We are the ones who asked for and needed the controls because
the problems were not limited. Farmers are the same. Limit the problem and
you limit the pesticide.

So get rid of need. Changing the bee is one way as is changing Varroa. Both
are being worked on. But as long as you are trying to make a living from
bees or from farms, need will drive you to whatever you do. And there will
usually be someone to answer that need.

Bill Truesdell  -Ann Frank- basically, people are good (even people who work
for chemical companies)
Bath, Maine

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