From: DeeALusby1@aol.com
Date: Tue, 2 Jul 2002 01:27:27 EDT
To: BiologicalBeekeeping@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: Small Hive Beetle

In a message dated 7/1/02 6:08:43 AM Pacific Daylight Time, barry@birkey.com
writes:

> I don't know how much "proof" we can bank on with just one incidence, but it
> sure does give rise for concern. For the most part, it seems the SHB has not
> been the major pest it was first thought to be. Of course it could be partly
> due to the wide? usage of chemicals used for it.

Reply:
I agree that one incidence for proof is nothing to bank on. Especially since
we lost, if one were to think about it, 90% of our bees to get to our
survivors, (104), and then work them back up from there.

Using chemicals seems to be the same MO for control of beetles as it is for
mites,and will only prolong bees that should have died at first onset. Maybe
this is a hard line to take. But if bees are to live in spite of beetles and
mites, or anything else for that matter, I think beekeepers will find in the
long haul there will be no easy way out.

In the end there will be survivors, the trouble is how much pain to achieve
it in doing what needs to be done. Nature plays no second best in real life!

Regards,

Dee A. Lusby