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From: "Mac and Nancy Hedgpeth" <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: altering Ph in bees
Date: Wed, Nov 17, 1999, 12:12 PM


A first year beekeeper whom i have been mentoring has an  interesting
theory re: Ph balance in bees and the relationship to overall health but
also the possibility of not being as susceptible to the parasitic mites. Ph
balance in humans can be altered to some degree and some believe this helps
fight off illness etc. ie. 1 tbls. of vinegar a day and so on. He has
introduced certain herbs and natural ingredients into sugar syrup and fed
this last spring and fall. I have been somewhat sceptical but also
interested to monitor this over time. He feels so positive about this that
there were no meds of any kind used. I did not test with a board this fall
only uncapped drone brood to try and convince him to use apistan but found
no mites. There are no other bees in his area i know of so monitoring for
mites will need to be ongoing for 1-2 seasons i figure. Maybe the mites
will start gagging on the bees! How sweet it would be--- any thoughts? mac