Hello Gang,

Dave Green asks about winter losses in New England.

Yes it is true. Several local hobbiest beekeepers
who I know personally have been wiped out.
Another large commercial beekeeper in Vermont sent me my
deopsit back on year 2000 nucs because all of his honey
producing colonies were wiped out. He suspected the V-mites
were getting resitant to Apistan last summer.

I am guessing that there is more than one cause. Rumor has it
that there is a resurgance in T-mites here, I just do not know
if this is true. I have yet to ask the local guys if they
had the dead outs tested for T-mites or not.

MWBATR, (Meanwhile back at the ranch), I am ever so greatful to
have continued with T-mite treatment despite claims of tolerance
for the little buggers. I have keeped grease patties on during the
winter and just switched to cocktail size napkins soaked in
cooking oil. They are simply placed on the top bars of the brood
chamber.

I am told that the napkins are a good way to test for hygenic bees.
If they get rid of the napkin in a few days they are hygenic.
I will go back to grease patties if they do not disappear soon.
I have not been back inside the hives to check on them since they
were placed there because the weather has been cold. The next few
days should tell the tale.

I lost only one hive but I believe this was due to my accidentaly
killing the queen. The hive was doing well until about 2 weeks ago
when I found the population dwinled to laying workers. T-mite loss? Maybe,
but I still think I did it.

By the way, the local beekeepers who were wiped out live
with in a bee flight of each other.



Ernie Gregoire "Beekeeper," definition= partially brave,

                            partially excentric

Grist Mill Apiary

Canaan, New Hampshire, USA


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05/02/99 15:24:21