From: RSBrenchley@aol.com
Date: Thu, 6 Sep 2001 04:42:50 EDT
To: BiologicalBeekeeping@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: Chalkbrood and mites

> Hello, I am a newly established beekeeper and have chalkbrood in two
> of my hives. What can you do to prevent this in the future? Anything?

Two suggestions; in the short term, try Thymol. I've used Apiguard, which
is a thymol gel, for two seasons, it's kept the mites under control, it
apparently controls chalkbrood as well, and it isn't persistent in wax. That
being said, it's another poison, and needs handling carefully. Honey
gathering appears to fall while it's in the hive, and I've noticed the bees
keep their distance from it. In the longer term, hygeinic behaviour
apparently controls chalkbrood. There's plenty of information on the list
about mite control methods.

Regards,

Robert Brenchley,
Birmingham, UK.