Just so you know...

  I don't know where people get the idea that I'm chemical free. I've 
spoken a few times to the chemical free convention, and have always 
fully disclosed how I manage my bees. I feel the nucleus colony 
management system I use will save any apiary...chemical free or 
not...when the bees crash because they haven't reached the point of 
successful non-treatment, or the beekeeper has high losses for whatever 
reason. While I don't use antibiotics, menthol, thyme, HBH, or any other 
similar treatments, I do treat in the Fall for varroa. I am trying to 
breed bees that are more tolerant, and I've been adding VSH stock to my 
apiary since 2004. I believe it helps keep the mite count down, and find 
my VSH crosses are both prolific and productive. They winter well. VSH 
isn't a silver bullet. There aren't any...yet.

Mike



These two ideas may be true, but thy both ignore the alternative methods
> used successfully by Kirk Webster,  Michael Palmer, and others.
>    

             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html

Guidelines for posting to BEE-L can be found at:
http://honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/guidelines.htm