Hello Gang, The demise and resurgence of feral colonies in recent time have got me to thinking about the benefits as well as the problems they can cause. As an eternal optimist, I like to focus on the positive aspects of having feral bee colonies again inhabit the local woods. I have not seen a wild bee for ten years in my area. I think this will change soon. Several new beekeepers have begun apiaries in a 15 mile radius of my home apiary. Please consider the following; The feral colonies that inhabited bee trees in days of old, died to mite predation for the most part, so the remaining colonies were somehow resistant. Beekeepers continue to keep bees and as a result, swarms will issue forth from various colonies through out the country. With this in mind, I propose a plan for discussion here on the Bee-l. Why not let our best colonies swarm and replace the feral bee population? Let's say 1 % of colonies are allowed to swarm and establish colonies on their own. Those which survive will surely be resistant to anything that would kill them. If we all allowed only one of our colonies to swarm, the feral colony count would go up and eventually benefit the beekeeper as in the past. de AA1IK, Ernie Gregoire R.R. 1, Box 221, South Rd. Canaan, NH. 03741 USA 43.6170 N, X 72.0225 W E-mail address: [log in to unmask] ------------------------------------- 01/29/99 07:35:31