Hi Jennifer, I have constructed a bee hive from walnut lumber that I am
currently using this year.  I installed bees from a locust tree that came
from about 30 miles away.  This hive swarmed a couple of times that I
know of and I caught each one.  I varnished the hive so it might be the
heat that caused it to swarm, being dark walnut.  I am in a area with
mites, in Missouri. I have used Apistan this spring and mineral oil
this summer but will try to do without next spring.  This would be
interesting research because I have plenty of walnut lumber on hand.  My
neighbor also has a bee hive in a walnut tree that has been there for
two years which had many bees this year.  I will try to catch swarms from
it next spring and determine if it had mites.  Will keep in tuch and let
you know how this goes.  Bob
 
K-B Ranch
Natural Beef
 
2362 St. Rt. O
Higbee, MO. 65257
 
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On Mon, 28 Jul 1997, Jennifer Louise Pehanich wrote:
 
> Hello. My name is Jenn Pehanich, I am a senior at the Penn State
> University majoring in Forest Science. This summer I am working at our
> Forest Resources Lab and agriculture extension office. We received a
> call from the regional honey bee inspector who had an interesting
> question we are trying to find information on.  This gentleman has found
> a colony that appears to be free of mites, he is currently checking to
> be positive. But the interesting thing is the colony is in a black
> walnut tree. We were wondering if the toxins in the walnut have some
> effect of why the mites haven't got to the bees yet. If you have an
> information it would be greatly appreciated. Maybe some ideas could be
> tossed around also. Thank you for your time.
>
> Jenn
> <[log in to unmask]>
>