Bob Harrison <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>NON chemical methods?

Correct!

>I guess you mean burning for AFB? 

If a minor infection, I will cut out the comb and wash equipment adding 
new foundation, and requeen.  I found no need to burn unless a sever case 
exists and in the spore forming stage, or to satisfy the state requirement 
to burn or treat.

Treatments would only serve to prop up susceptible stock, making selection 
of AFB resistant stock extremely difficult.

>What about EFB? 

Had only a occasional very minor case of EFB, and EFB clears up on its 
own.  Queen gets one demerit.  

Treatments would serve to cover up the symptoms, making selection of EFB 
resistant stock extremely difficult.

>What about  nosema ? 

I consider nosema symptoms as a ‘indicator’ of a colony that is not up to 
par in some or several areas, any colony exhibiting nosema type symptoms 
is automatic slated for requeen.

Treatments would serve to cover up the symptoms, making selection of 
nosema resistant stock extremely difficult.

( I
>treated another yard yesterday to clear up a presistant nosema). Are
>antibiotics OK? Or simply not needed once you are on small cell?

I’m of the opinion, when there are options available that would eliminate 
the need to use pesticide or antibiotics they should be implemented.

>What percent of your untreated method hives get culled or simply crash in 
a
>year?

I won’t play the numbers game.
More important than percentages is; ‘what was the cause’

Of my separate apiary where I move best stock to I diagnosed my winter 
losses and all were clear cases of isolation starvation and in line with 
historic records of PA colony losses.  Was a very tough year here in 
Western PA for forage. I knew the colonies were going into winter a bit 
light.  But the plan was to shift stores around in February from any 
deadouts that occur.  But as things occurred, the weather, combined with 
house building, left me no time to visit the yards till late winter.

In my assessment yards where I take my woodland ferals, city ferals and 
cut outs, most of these perished.  Just too bad a year for colonies in 
early growth stage to build up (most beekeepers in my area lost most, if 
not all of their package bees to starvation).  Also, contributing in these 
yards were some mite pressure.   This is why I like to regress the new 
stock and wean them into my other yards when varroa levels are reduced 
somewhat, and assessments are complete. 

Best Wishes,
Joe

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