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Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology

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Subject:
From:
"BOGANSKY,RONALD J." <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Tue, 20 Jun 2000 12:56:15 -0400
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Hello All,
Some of you also probably received the same letter as I.  It was from
Betterbee stating that formic acid will not be available this year, at least
for non commercial beekeepers.  It appears they are still having problems
with the package.  Probably the only people more frustrated than me right
now are the folks at Betterbee.  I know they are doing everything they can
to bring this to market.

That's life, but where do we go from here?  I watched a lot of my bees die
last year because of resistant varroa.  I am not prepared to do that again
this year.  Do I treat with Apistan, hoping all the resistant mites "culled"
themselves out when the colony perished?  That would be too easy.  Do I
break the law and treat my bees with an "unapproved" formic acid formulation
using the same methods found in Canada or other countries?  I don't think
so!  My choices are dwindling.  Should I use Check Mite?  I would rather
not.  I had poor acceptance with the Russian queens I purchased, so that
won't be the answer this year.  Well, what's left?  I know, sell my bees,
buy and pack imported honey, maybe my customers won't notice the difference.
The day I do that is the day I need to get out of the business.  It is
starting not to be fun anymore.

The letter from Betterbee did state that they may still ship to commercial
beekeepers.  It didn't say why.  Maybe some kind hearted commercial operator
will sell me a few packs.

I really don't know what I will do this time.  I used to go fishing in the
spring before I started keeping bees.  I wonder where the tackle box is.

Ron Bogansky
Milk & Honey Farm
Kutztown, (eastern) PA, USA

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