Keith Malone wrote:

>We are obviously not as kindred a spirit as you think.
>
>They do not always pipe on this pipeline. Just because they do not pipe on
>this pipeline does mean they no longer are keeping bees.
>
I agree. I have been to the other sites and decided long ago to stay
here where you are challenged and have to do more than present anecdotal
evident that something works universally.

When science is brought up on this list it often gets derided as
strongly as alternative beekeeping methods. The list originally started
as a more scientific site but was soon taken over by talented armatures
and most scientist now just lurk. Most of us who post here regularly get
off list emails about what we post from them.

As far as many techniques presented here, I have tried most of them when
I was the editor of our State newsletter and worked with the State
Inspector to determine if they worked in Maine.

As far as people going out of beekeeping who tried some of the natural
things that were touted here, I stand by that statement.

I would love to see more than a group hug to confirm that something
works in my area and not just in Arizona or Florida, where AHB may cloud
the results. Or that if I fail it is only because I did not do it right,
since everyone else succeeds. (Again, the law of the survivor- the ones
who are left are the only ones you hear from.) Or that it is not just
the technique but everything that the beekeeper is doing.

Science tends to separate the chaff from the wheat, not always but
better than my backyard experiments. I lose few or no colonies every
winter while others lose many, even experienced beekeepers in may area.
I think it is the management techniques of George Imire and Tony Jadczak
as much as it is anything I add to control mites. Beekeeping is a total
practice, not isolated into what you do or do not add to your hives. It
includes the environment around your colonies as well.

Which gets me back to science. I enjoy Dennis Murrel's trials of small
cell beekeeping. I do think that small cells work, but I have also had
failures with them. He has pointed out some of the reasons for this. So
small cells may be a solution for more temperate climates than Maine,
but may not be for Maine. This has been borne out in tests in the State.
So all the results elsewhere may have no or limited application here,
hence my need to do more than rely on what works in Florida. Or even
parts of Alaska, since the climates are very different.

Yet they are touted as universally applicable.

Some things do work but...

An example  was recently posted concerning using powdered sugar as a
mite control. From what I have read, the application method was not
correct and it has been shown that it does not work at some times during
the year. It will show little or no mites present when they may be at
high levels of infestation. I would not go down that path.

As far as going elsewhere to enjoy the company of those who agree with
you, no problem. I enjoy the give and take here since it challenges my
position (as the  posts disagreeing with me show). I have been shown to
be wrong on this list and find that helpful, since it keeps me out of
trouble. (Before moderation, the heat on this list was exceptionally
high compared to today. Then you really needed a strong constitution to
survive. One alternative medicine man threatened to sue me!)

I have also seen many new and "exceptionally effective" methods
challenged here and eventually proved to not work as advertised ( the
sewer was one- pun intended). Which is why I value this group over all
the others. Pied Pipers do not stand a chance.

Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine

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