We supplied some AVID microchips to our beekeepers this year along with signs

NOTICE:  BEE HIVES ON THIS PROPERTY ARE PERMANTENTLY IDENTIFIIED WITH AVID
MICROCHIPS.  Vall AVID at (800)336-AVID

We mainly wanted to put up the signs as we felt this was the biggest theft
deterrent.
Got this idea from beekeeper Steve Grigg, who related that the county in
Moses Lake WA was plagued by continual thefts from their equpment yard.  They
mounted a dummy camera on a tall pole  and placed a sign: "THIS YARD UNDER 24 HOUR
CAMERA SURVEILLANCE.  The camera never was operative but the thefts dropped
to zero.  Such a sign (+ live or dummy camera) could discourage both bee thefts
and bee loss through shaking of colonies.

We paid $2.70/chip from AVID for lots of 25.  The reduced rate (compared to
prices charge for insertion into pets) was because the chips didn't have to be
sterilized.

We felt the signs we placed this year reduced thefts (we had no thefts this
year).

Joe Traynor

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and  other info ---
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::