On Fri, 1 Mar 1996, David Eyre wrote: > > While I agree and do the same, I question the validity. Somewhere I read > that chalkbrood is a result of dampness. In my tests, increased ventilation > appears to cure chalkbrood. Has anybody else found this? -> Hello, Chalkbrood is a Fungi ( Asophaera apis ) If the larva is chilled to 30 C from 35 C it is the right temp for the A. apis to form fruiting bodies. I would suspect that dampness has an effect on the hives temperature. Damp cold seems to chill more deeply than a dry cold. Honey Bee Pathology by Bailey and Ball has seven pages of info if anyone want to look at chaulkbrood any further. I have had some chalkbrood in the past , but I now leave my lower enterance open 3/8 inch in the winter and spring.Maybe the bees can exchange the air with less effort and more efficiently. We do not get very cold in western Washington and I like tough bees anyway. Bottem line David , the book does not address dampness , but I'm with you. Moisture causes many problems in the hive. I'm trying some different things myself this year. Burlap and 2 inch thick hard styrofoam with vent holes. Bee Happy Roy