From: Alida Francisco Janmaat <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Varroa and Chalkbrood <Chalkbrood appears to be a problem when there are not enough adult bees in <a colony to maintain the appropriate temperature in the brood nest. If <adult populations in colonies are beginning to decrease, yet brood <production has not decreased, the brood may become <chilled and chalkbrood will result. I had an experience that might be supportive of this. It occurred in 1989 while trying to treat TM with menthol crystals in the spring (March). An unusual hot spell set in for two days resulting with highs reaching 90+/- F (33C) and then the temps returned to seasonal levels. The crystal packets were placed in the top center of the top (2 BCs) chamber. This was an out apiary that I couldn't get to quickly. I feared that the intense vapors would drive the house bees from the brood chambers. When I did inspect the eighteen formally strong colonies in this location, Chalk was very prominent. I had, in earlier years, seen small patches of chalk and sac in several of the colonies. Now every colony showed chalk to some degree. Some colonies suffered a 50% loss of brood. I had not been feeding syrup or pollen and had not seen chalk to this degree before this occasion. This, thankfully, was a one time event.. D.Pritchard Belvidere, NJ [log in to unmask]