Hi Bill,

Thanks for the reply.

I think both you and I are old enough to have some beekeeping experience
before the arrival of the mites.

Before the mites, yards left untended for several years, would unwind just
about like you have described with your untended yards. And, in this
country, feral hives were not a common occurence. I think that was normal as
feral colonies of bees seldom occur in groups of 20 to 50 colonies in a
single location. And, in my area, a beeyard every 3/4 mile or so.

But in those times, with appropriate beekeeper care, equipment could be kept
filled with bees and a decent crop of honey produced.

Today, yards often unwind, even with the best beekeeper care. And they can
unwind alot faster, in a year or less. Overwintering is a disaster for most.
Empty equipment is a fact of life unless package bees are brought in each
season.

Small cell has returned my beekeeping to the 'before' state. The beeyard
still needs the beekeeper. But nothing like it did with the mites and my
bees on large cell sized comb.

It's good to hear of your much better state of health.

Best Regards and Many more years of Beekeeping
Dennis

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