Hello All,

> It seems clear that Bob may be in error.  We know that varroa reproduce in
> small cell colonies to some extent and can be found within them. However
the  bees are capable of controlling the situation and crashing doesn't
happen.
> And from what Barry S. has said it appears that is what is occurring. If
> Barry S. isn't seeing DAMAGE (my emphasis) by now his bees are most likely
controlling varroa naturally.

One needs to understand Barry Sergeants method of keeping bees. Please read
the two posts African Bee Briefing 1 & 2 by Barry. Barry treats his hives he
raises queens from for varroa as Clay says but his honey production comes
from swarms which he traps. Around 600 per season. When  a swarm leaves the
Scut  hive they are bringing a varroa mite load but nothing like the colony
they left. These swarms only live around 9 months and then capensis kills
the colony. Packages with a  small mite load survive the summer fine  in the
U.S.as a comparison.
I have pulled a couple quotes from both bee briefing posts:
African Bee Briefing 2 Wed. June 20 ,2001
"The basic methodology described for trapping bees is practiced by
partically all beekeepers in this country. By the end of August , I
anticipate 600 trapped swarms over four months."
From A Bee briefing 1 June 17-2001
"It's probabbly fair to say that EVERY swarm in the country has varroa but
beekeepers don't treat for it, with CAPENSIS LIMITING THE COLONY LIFE TO
ABOUT NINE MONTHS. "
In my opinion Barry is saying you would possibly treat if the swarms could
survive Capensis.
Barry does treat his queen rearing hives I believe.

As for Bob I wish him well with SMR. I see SMR
> as trying to swim up a water fall, totally unnatural and impossible to
> maintain in the long run (I could be wrong).

Totally unnatural????  What is unnatural about raising queens from bees on
which varroa do not reproduce?
The first purpose is not to maintain but to introduce the SMR gene into our
U.S. stocks.

49ers are the minority in this issue. All the bee researchers see SMR as the
right course for research. Dr. Harbo, Dr. Harris, Marla Spivak, Sue Colby,
Glenn Apiaries and Weaver Apiaries. I could go on and on. As I said two
years ago the 4.9ers need to provide tests with controls to prove their
theories. Until then they are simply theories in my opinion.  Many
beekeepers were *burnt* in the last decade taking other beekeepers advice on
varroa controls.  Now we want tests with controls like those the USDA
provides with SMR. Even then small cell in Arizona might not work as well in
the Northern part of the U.S.
Sincerely,
Bob Harrison
Odessa, Missouri