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Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology

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From:
LLOYDSPEAR <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Fri, 27 Sep 2002 11:43:27 -0400
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Peter Dillon has been asking about using formic or oxalic acid to treat
acarine mites.  I recall that Peter keeps bees in France.  I wonder whether
it is advisable to even treat for acarine mites?

I only run about 125 hives, but have not treated for tracheal mites in 4
years.  Combining losses from last winter and this summer, I think I may
have lost 3 hives to tracheal mites and consider that 'good riddance'  to
those without genetic resistance.

Resistance is widespread in the US, and I know few beekeepers who still
treat.  Of those I personally know they fall into one of two categories:
    1.  Novices who are 'sold' by catalogs, and do not read the literature
and attend meetings of bee clubs.
    2.  Commercial guys who 'load' their hives with all kinds of junk
because they want to collect honey (read that as 'money') and not bother
'keeping' bees.  (These are the guys who brought us mites resistant to
Terramyacin, and someday will ruin the honey market with their increasing
use of illegal chemicals.)

I know dozens of beekeepers with 10-1500 hives who have stopped treatments
and are only realizing minor losses.

But if one must treat, why not use plain patties made from cooking oil and
sugar?  They are 100% effective, 100% safe, and very inexpensive.


Lloyd
Lloyd Spear, Owner of Ross Rounds, manufacturer of comb honey equipment
for beekeepers and Sundance pollen traps.
http://www.rossrounds.com
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