[Shane Holahan]

Hi Susan and thankyou for taking the time to reply to me!

You are very correct when you ask what the beek I bought the nuc from would have been treating for as we don’t have Varroa in Australia. I am more specifically talking about the residual build up of pesticides and insecticides in commercially purchased foundations. Over here, we are very closely aligned with Asia and the majority of foundation purchased by Australian Beekeepers is imported from there. The Asian countries have doused their crops in pesticides/insecticides and if I am correct, the level of residual chemicals present in foundation as a result is alarmingly high.

As an interesting side note, we have also been experiencing CCD in Australia however it has been going largely unreported by beekeepers. At this stage we have no need to treat our bees but funnily enough, when commercial beekeepers take their bees to feed on crops treated with neonicotinoids, in a number of cases, the hives are succumbing to CCD. The beekeepers response is to get their bees out of this area and never take them back to that location. It makes me wonder wether neonicotinoids is a larger factor in CCD than is being suggested.

In response to front line defence for pests and diseases, the Government does have a very good system in place at International airports and Shipping ports across the country. Once again, if my understanding is correct, they seem to be more worried about Tropilaelaps Mites or “the Asian Mite” as it is commonly known. But yes Varroa is still certainly a threat for us. The treatment for Asian Mites is expected to be similar to that of Varroa.

Thanks for the heads up about the Facebook group and I will definitely check it out in the next few days!

Am also loving Michael Bush’s work too! I’ve been watching his presentations on YouTube and spent hours on his website. And yes, even though it’s available online for free, I’m one of those ones that had to have a hard copy. Arrived on Thursday and am really enjoying his logical, common sense, down to earth approach.

Regards

Shane

[Shane Holahan]

Hi Rob,

Thankyou very much for taking the time to reply to me, I greatly appreciate it! My bees did come from a beekeeper that was treating his bees in the usual fashion so it is definitely going to be a challenge regressing them and keeping them treatment free. I am also fortunate in that a lady from my work has had a very strong “wild” colony (I don’t use the term feral as wild is more respectful) in the wall of her house for 15 years and is allowing me to re-locate them this winter. I am going to be keeping the 2 colonies and comparing them and seeing how I go. Interestingly enough, I became very interested in treatment free beekeeping when my best friend bought me a copy of “Save the Bees” for Christmas! So you guys are the inspiration for that one!

So thankyou once again Rob and look forward to keeping you all updated!

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