From: grizzly bearnolds <mkittner@telus.net>
Date: Wed, 05 Sep 2001 17:38:52 -0700
To: BiologicalBeekeeping@yahoogroups.com
Subject: To medicate or not

This is maybe a better question to the BioList. We have changed how we keep
bees in several ways .. open mesh floors, hives set the warm way (entrance
along the wide side), hives on a hive stand, inside the beehouse, under a
roof and out of the weather, completely closed off tops, ventilation
through a hole in each box near the box hand recession, pulled all honey
possible (our honey is supposed to be mostly honeydew from the early part
of the season, which is supposed to be not good for overwintering), feeding
of syrup earlier than normal, plus whatever else I forgot at the moment. So
far, those new bees seemed healthy and vigorous, at least at the last
thorough check I did several weeks ago. Later on before real winter hits,
they will be wrapped and well insulated from the sides and from the top,
and a top entrance provided.

I have not added anything to their syrup, all they got was 2 parts sugar to
1 part water. No medication of any kind added, though extended winter
conditions often might have brought dysentery on towards the later part of
a winter, not proven really, that's the opinion from several who read my
descriptions last year after the hives had died out towards the end of last
winter.

I feel guilty not giving them any Fumil....B, that stuff which is to
prevent dysentery. Now, am I doing good by NOT adding this, or am I a
foolish beekeeper who is asking for trouble again, since I did not add this
the last few years neither?

As there is not supposed to be varroa yet, we are not treating for anything
else anyhow. But dysentery could have been a pretty sure thing these last
few winters, and I am again not doing anything this year to prevent that.
Or, should I do something, but what?

Ma. / Nass Valley .. British Columbia .. CANADA
(near the Alaska border) .. five colonies and a donkey
Beekeeper's Apprentice .. mailto:mkittner@telus.net