Absolutely spot on Riverbee! I didn't mean for the question to "go away" so much as I hoped I wouldn't have to try to answer it. For me, it seems as though some of the info I read, here, and from other sources is, if not contradictory, at least complicated. By complicated I mean it sometimes, maybe even many times, seems to be a choice of the "lesser evils". As a new beekeeper (for example) I've read three different "beginner" books. There seems to be two (that I've read about) different philosophies regarding beekeeping. One: to medicate. Two: not to medicate. Personally, I'd like to use no medications or chemicals. That's just me. But, do I go chemical free and hope for the best? Do I medicate in the spring and fall for nosema, mites, foul brood, and lord knows what else because that's what the books say? Or, do I judiciously use medications, only as needed, when needed. I'm hoping to fall into that last category. Unfortunately, the jury is still out on that one. Time will tell. A few weeks back I did a mite check. Lazy told me how he did it using ether. My thought was, ether? Man, that doesn't sound good. So I read about a "sugar shake". Now that sounded GOOD! I've got powdered sugar, I don't have ether. Sugar doesn't kill bees, ether does. To me that was a no brainer. The book I read and a few other sources said to "shake vigorously", like you're making a martini. So, I did. That was an awful experience for me and probably the bees as well. I reported my experience on the forum. Iiddee said to "gently roll" the bees, let sit, gently roll again, let sit, etc. Gently roll, THAT sounds good and that's what I'll do next time I think I need to check for mites. So, as a new beekeep I'd found what sounded like a good process, checked a few sources and went with it, had a horrible experience, and learned from it. Maybe that's were some of the new keeps problems come from, lack of experience. What I'm doing now is listening to Scott, deciding if his way is the way for me to go, and taking actions based on that decision. I feel like I need to be able to trust somebody and following the lead of an experienced person sounds like a good plan. Will I follow him blindly? No! Will I trust his experience when I'm in doubt? Yeah, yeah I probably will. I find myself looking forward to next year and the years to come. To a time when I'll have more experience of problems and solutions. Wow! I'm kinda rambling. I'm in a little pain, and yes, somewhat stoned. My apologies, Ted
