I am in SE Idaho, zone 4, and I have a background in Biology, so this gives 
me added interest in the technical discussions.  I have worked for the state 
fish and game, spent 4 years right out of college working with grizzlies in 
Yellowstone Park,  and retired from 30 years of plant breeding.
When we retired we decided we were going to raise bees, meat rabbits, and 
chickens.  We grow a substantial amount of our own food, forage for the 
rabbits and chickens, and plant bee pasture.
The first year we bought 2 packages of bees and caught one swarm.  The 
second year we went up to 10 hives.  Our third year we had 10 hives and 8 
nucs.  We are trying to over winter 3 double nucs.  Next spring I would like 
to graft some queens.
The past two seasons we used Thymol and powdered sugar for might control in 
hives headed by mite resistant queens from Old Sol.
I read Bee-L daily, but rarely post.
Dave
South East Idaho

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