Mary Ann Kae quote 
'And what of propolis? Its anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties are well known.  I'll bet hives producing heavier quantities of propolis are healthier hives.  Not a trait preferred by beeks in a hurry, I realize.  Consumers are willing to pay a premium when they know an animal product is produced without hormones or antibiotics, "free range", etc.   It seems any  advantage to subjecting apiaries to prophylactic antibiotic treatment would be short-lived and create more problems eventually.'
my comments..
Marla at the Minnesota Lab has done work on propolis and it anti viral properties. So that much is pretty much a done deal and allegorically I would say that yes in my non treatment hives those that at least propolize at a significant level also do better both in living longer and resisting some pest (small hive beetle). I suspect your last sentence is on right on target and any problems is a long list that gets longer with each passing day.

Gene in central Texas...   

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