Angela and Keith Copi wrote: > How do I get off the TM treadmill? Do I just stop > using it and see what happens? I would do just that if you are a hobby beekeeper. You will get lots of opinions on this. Dusting is a good, accepted preventive action. Patties are not. The first hives I purchased (in 1991) had AFB when I bought them. I burned them and started fresh. I treated by dusting for a few years, but found that the incidence of AFB is fairly low (about 4% in Maine, which includes the 60,000 hive brought in each year). I also noticed it was most prevalent with certain beekeepers (most no longer keep bees) but who did use TM. When they shared a field with other beekeepers, they spread the disease, so I stayed home and did not offer my hive for pollination. If I was a commercial pollinator, I would dust. Since I am a hobby beekeeper, I do not. But I do keep the TM in reach, not to "cure" but as a preventative if AFB is in the area. If I do get AFB again, I will burn the equipment, just as I did when I started. Bill Truesdell Bath, Maine :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::