queenbee wrote:
>
> Maybe it is not the fact that the chemicals are present but the 
> combined effect of these chemicals on the bees.  As I recall (taking 
> Bill's advice) from talks and reading, if there are a couple of 
> chemicals present it is not just an accumulative effect
Not always. They can also counter each other.

I am not an advocate for any chemicals in a hive, but you cannot help 
getting them in there. Some may be beneficial and some may be harmful. 
Some may act together for good or bad.

I hope everyone realizes that many plants brew their own pesticides and 
we eat them readily with no ill effects. If the same "pesticides" had to 
be registered, they would probably not make it. Fortunately God got 
there before the government.

Appreciate the post that did ID the "pesticides" that had the highest 
concentrations and most prevalent to be those introduced by the 
beekeeper. Personally, and I have said this often, most of the pesticide 
problem in our colonies are of our own doing. Add that many do not 
rotate comb and you have the perfect storm to breed bad bees. Forget 
worrying about nursery yards or the like. Just get back to basic 
beekeeping which can be found in any beginning beekeeping book. Do not 
treat with home-brew miticides.There are plenty of excellent.but time 
consuming and costly treatments (Formic is one) that leave little 
residue and do the job well. Rotate comb. Select good queens. Have 
proper stores. But why am I prattling on, you all have read the books.

Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine

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