i've been reading as much material on beekeeping as i can come across,
sifting through the good and the bad and recently i've had an opportunity
to speak with someone who used to be an avid beekeeper, but woefully gave
up because of the mites.  he found that his bees became an "annual" hive
rather than a "perennial" hive (i.e. he was replacing them every year
because they'd die from mite infection) and said it was just too expensive
and depressing to see his hive die every year.  is this the current fate of
many of you hobbyist-beekeepers (and your hives)?  it's so depressing to
hear my friend talk about "the good old days" that he used to spend with
his hives, and now he won't even consider getting started again.  given he
has so much experience, how could i hope to as a novice to embark on such a
hopeless hobby?
 
any words of encouragement would be appreciated!
 
thyme