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Subject:
From:
Aaron Morris <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Discussion of Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 29 Jan 1997 15:31:14 EST
Content-Type:
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There have been many questions about FGMO and unfortunately, the
messenger has left the list.  CAVEAT EMPTOR!
 
>
Q: What if one was to spray a mist of mineral oil over the
> frames of a hive periodically?
>
A: You'd run the risk of applying too much FGMO, with the end result
that the FGMO would have the same desired effect (DEATH) on your bees
as it does on the mites.  In other words, DON'T DO IT!
 
>
> Does min oil oxidize as does vege oil?
              and
> Does honey contain any oils naturally?
A: Don't know!
>
>Q: Why waxed paper, why not paper towels?
>
Speculation: Because you want the FGMO free to be absorbed by the
porous spiracles in the mites' bodies, not the porous paper towels.
>
> Why FOOD GRADE mineral oil?
>
A: FGMO is a food product and as such the proposer of the FGMO idea
speculates there should be no concern of introducing a hazardous
substance into the hive.
 
Finally I have to add my own two cents worth here.  The FGMO proposal
is one man's idea, which may or may not work.  No judgment call here,
just a statement to be treated as any other statement not backed up by
empirical data - and please, I'm not saying Dr. Rodriguez has no
empirical data to back up his claims, I'm saying I have no data to back
up his claims.  Whether a beekeeper is going to embrace Dr. R's ideas
or not is a judgment call to be made individually by each and every
beekeeper.  The common sense behind the choice to follow the suggestion
is that a gamble is being taken that the claims are true, judged by
Mother Nature, not the scientific community, not the government, not
the collective wisdom of BEE-L.  If one gambles and the claim turns out
not to be effective or if FGMO proves to be harmful to bees, gamblers
lose!  Before embracing one man's proposal ask yourself, "Am I willing
to gamble and if so, HOW MUCH am I willing to gamble?"  And remember,
this claim has not be substantiated or duplicated by powers that be with
the "authority" to approve the proposal.  This may be attributed to the
fact that there's no money in it for the chemical companies or it may be
due to the manner in which the message was delivered or it may be the
case that the proposal is being investigated by someone with the
blessing of the scientific community or the government or Odin (fill in
the god of you own choice).  But for the time being, THE JURY IS STILL
OUT!  It's like OJ!  Please folks, don't start throwing FGMO or used
motor oil or 2-in-1 oil or castor oil or Olive Oyl into your hives
based on what you've read on this list unless you are willing and can
afford to sacrifice those hives to satisfy your own curiosity!  At
least make the effort to find out what is being recommended and how it's
being recommended before blindly jumping on another bandwagon that may
or may not be heading where you want to be!
 
SOAPBOX OFF!
Aaron Morris

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