Kathy and Bob,
Bob writes:
The three most undesirable known AHB traits for the
commercial beekeeper would be constant swarming (up to 16
times a year), absconding ( in periods after a honey
flow)and aggressive behavior.


Reply:
I must not be average commercial for not seeing constant
so-called AHB swarming. In fact only got 3 swarms in field
last year near bee yards. But did take swarms given to us
from Tucson. 

Also dont see absconding after honey flows of any type.

But then concerning the two above, we do Housel position
our combs now. Stopped most problems of comb drawing out
badly, and filling in our desert area, and
swarming/absconding it made practically zero. Ran about 900
+/- colonies last year by the way.

As for aggressive behaviour, maybe one in 100 we/I split to
the four winds, to calm the hive in question down, but
consider that normal for anyone. Think local
acclimitization and zero treatments/dopes account for much
of this.

respectfully submitted,

Dee A. Lusby
Small Cell Commercial Beekeeper
Moyza, Arizona
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/organicbeekeepers/

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