Allen Dick writes:

it just happens that the average *normal* attrition over an
entire year for commercial beekeepers is at least 30% of
colonies, and, in some areas numbers as high as 50% has
been discussed as normal.  That was true beforemites, and
it is true now.

Reply:
Sorry, I just do not buy that...........I was taught
growing up and also seeing for many years that no more then
10% loss on average was considered normal. So question:
just when did the rise in losses go to between 30-50% or
more? From my memory I believe it started in the 1980s this
higher figure, though industry did go thru a bad spell back
in the late 1920s - early 40s due to foul broods then, not
mites like today (learning to work around/correct the
problem). Saying this, right now I have to say that even
with our severe drought here in Arizona the past 5 years
coupled with mites, things have tappered off and losses
seem in the past few years down to only 1-2$ now and the
bees are humming along.

Sincerely,

Dee A. Lusby
Commercial Small Cell Beekeeper
Tucson, Arizona



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