>Many of these new folks are convinced that pesticides are the only thing
that kills bees.

In Marin County, California, the active hobby beekeeper group suffered 85%
losses of new packages, and were sure that pesticides were the issue.  So
they donated money (I contributed) to take pollen samples throughout the
county over the course of a year and have them analyzed.  I recently spoke
with the researcher doing the analyses. No pesticides to speak of.

Since pesticides can't be blamed, some of them must now face the reality
that most colony losses are due to preventable causes--mostly poor
nutrition, too high of mite levels (which lead to collapse due to viruses),
Nosema ceranae, poor wintering locations, etc.
-- 
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

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