On 10-Jan-09, at 8:51 AM, Peter L Borst wrote:

>
> Sterilizing comb is just a precaution against reinfection, which
> probably is not even worth the trouble. If you are feeding fumagillin
> the bees will be protected from reinfection from combs. Sterilizing
> the combs would only be worthwhile if you were assured that you
> restocked with bees that were nosema free and that they weren't going
> to pick it up soon from somebody else's sick bees. Or, if you had in
> mind avoiding antibiotics at all costs, acetic acid is certainly an
> intelligent alternative, though expect it to do nothing to kill the
> nosema in the bees.
>

Hi Peter and all

At a recent Dufferin Beekeepers meeting our speaker, a well known  
researcher, said that while fumagillin is effective in controlling NC  
in the bees it does nothing to the spores on the combs.  The reverse,  
he said, is true of acetic acid as it is not used while bees are on  
the comb.  He did say, however, that in his opinion for the long term  
control of nosema, acetic fumigation would be his choice if he had to  
use only one treatment.  He recommended rotating out  brood combs  
from surviving hives for fumigation as well.

Bob Darrell
Caledon Ontario
Canada
44N80W

PS: I didn't name the researcher because I didn't obtain his  
permission before posting.

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