Many beekeepers in the Northeast, including myself, are experiencing the
best winter survival in at least five years.  We had become accustomed to
30%+ winter losses.  And the "+" could get up to 70% without any
difficulty!  These are guys with from 100-1,200 hives, who are reasonably
good beekeepers, largely run for honey, and keep hives on one location all
year.

This past year some have had losses as low as 5%.  Moreover, many of the
survivors have huge clusters.  2009 was a poor year, and many hives went
into the winter 'light'; but many of those survived.  Speaking solely for
myself, I didn't do a whole lot different in 2009 from other years so don't
take a lot of credit for the good news.  Sure sounds like a pathogen or
pathogens that might be at the low point of a cycle...but who knows?

Sure is interesting that this is widespread, and not limited to just a few
beekeepers.

Lloyd

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