> Or is the reason the dogs aren't being used anymore because > government AFB programmes in the US have in most places been wound > down? That's the case here in ALberta. Although our organisation was very concerned about AFB 15 years ago, we have since decided that it mostly a matter for a beekeeper to deal with privately, since Tetracycline has proven pretty effective for control, and the (scarce) funds are required elsewhere -- to educate and assist in dealing with a new threat -- the mite invasion. We are working on a new draft of our bee act, and although AFB will continue to be mentioned, as I recall, most of the emphasis on dealing with it will be in extension -- teaching new beekeepers and those with problems how to manage it. Regards Allen W. Allen Dick, Beekeeper VE6CFK RR#1, Swalwell, Alberta Canada T0M 1Y0 Internet:[log in to unmask] & [log in to unmask] Honey. Bees, & Art <http://www.internode.net/~allend/>