> It is hard to make sense of the disparate reports and findings...

Certainly lots of unanswered questions about pollen subs. The first
endorsement for using a pollen sub for bee health (other than to increase
brood production) came by phone from Dave Hackenberg in fall 2007 ( I think
or maybe fall  2008). Dave called to say he and another beekeeper had moved
bees from blueberries onto fall locations close to each other. Both outfits
had been inspected in blueberries and the inspector saw no problems. Dave
decided to feed pollen patties right away ( similar to Allen suggests).
His bees were exceptional but the other commercial outfit started seeing
serious losses. I listened to Dave and only asked if *in his opinion* the
feeding of pollen sub made the difference. Dave said yes.

Since then I have had others say similar comments but in Florida we wonder
if pollen sub is worth the cost. Plenty of fresh pollen is available in the
areas we are splitting and so only syrup has been needed to make increase.
Unlike California fresh pollen is usually available from one source or
another year around.

Most of the commercial beekeepers I have spoke with have got good bees this
year. many did not feed pollen sub this spring or this fall. Some have not
feed fumigillin in years.

In checking on the hives of Dave Farmer ( California beekeeper reporting big
losses) I found a post by his employee ( named Terry) on another list. The
post clearly explains plenty of identifiable beekeeping problems were found
in those hives.  A few were high mite loads, chalkbrood, AFB & EFB and
nosema issues. Terry also said the problems were discovered while placing an
off label treatment on the hives.

One responder to Terry's post said his off label mite control was causing
his problems. Said others are reporting bee kills with the off label
treatment.

I can direct interested parties to the post if you email me directly.

I always like to keep an open mind (especially when my fellow beekeepers 
share observations) but I am of the same mindset as juanse when it comes to 
nosema ceranae. When I see yards of bees off feed I reach for the fumigillin 
bottle and not pollen sub.

bob

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