From: Barry Birkey <barry@birkey.com>
Date: Tue, 03 Apr 2001 02:09:42 -0500
To: <BiologicalBeekeeping@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: the dope

> Come on Barry...give us the dope. How many mites did you see? Was it
> too hot for them? Did you get stung?
>
> John Sewell

Hello John -

I'm finally back at the homestead after spending far too little time with
the Lusby's. There was a lot to take in and I shall do my best to share my
thoughts with the group as time permits.

I think I saw all of about 5 to 10 mites from several frames where capped
drone brood was cut open. Another interesting thing was all the mites where
found on the outer edges (next to side bars) of the comb and non could be
found along the bottom bar. Very clear evidence of sealed brood that had
been uncapped, both worker and drone, with the remaining larva half chewed
out. These are what I call true hygienic bees. Bees dealing with the mites
in a way that is natural and requiring no specific breeding for hygienic
behavior. I think when the bees are healthy, they can take care of
themselves.

What I saw were hives that were busting at the seams, brood from side bar to side bar, bottom bar to near top bar, putting the Lusby's in a real bind
trying to figure out how to handle the rapid growth of their splits and the
volume of honey that's being produced right now. I see their years of hard
work in rebuilding their bees on a natural system to be paying off in a
grand way this year. I've never seen more remote and beautiful terrain than
where they keep their yards situated. It confirmed to me that there is most
definitely places that pure organic honey can be produced. As far as the eye
can see of remote range land that can only be reached by truck at 5 miles
per hour with cactus and bushes ever scratching the sides of the truck. Glad
I didn't take mine!! Truly an experience I'd wish for all.

Weather was fantastic. Sunny every day and highs around 80 - 85 F. I was
able to process my 70 pounds of wax into foundation and Dee thought I was a quick learner, not afraid to get my hands dirty. Pictures and text soon to
come on this. Helped wire embed foundation using their flat iron (clothes
iron bottom) system for embedding. Cut out swarms from swarm traps and used their swarm catching frames to hold the feral comb and put into hives.

Only received a few stings from 5 days being around A LOT of bees. Stopped
by to meet Gene, who is on this list, and then a visit with Jerry Hayes at
Dadant to finish it up, which by the way, they now have the 4.9 foundation
right on the money, size wise, and we will be saying a lot more about it in
the next few days. A great trip with my 10 year old son and one that will
have to be repeated every so often. More as I have time.

Regards,
Barry