Читать книгу Beekeeping For Dummies - Howland Blackiston - Страница 34

Historically, beekeeping books have provided information on when and how to medicate your bee colonies and which chemicals to use for controlling pests that can compromise the health and productivity of your colonies. If you go online and visit beekeeping supply vendors, they all offer medications and pest control products to help bees when things go wrong.

But in recent years, because of all the problems that bees have been facing, it has become prudent to take a fresh look at these historical approaches to caring for and medicating your bees. Are treatments being overused? Probably. Are less-experienced beekeepers simply misusing these products to the detriment of our bees? Likely. Should you routinely medicate bees as so many traditional beekeeping books of the past recommend? Doubtful. Or should you embrace a more natural approach with little or no use of medications or chemicals? I recommend it.

Clearly, there are many choices out there. This is a hot topic, and you will hear passionate arguments for and against the various possible options for various treatments. To decide which is right for you, it’s first helpful to define each of the new approaches that are being discussed in today’s world of beekeeping.

As a new beekeeper, you need to decide which approach or combination of approaches makes the most sense to you. I do my best to explain the options available to you and tell you about my own experiences. But it’s up to you in the end. Pick an approach and stick to it until you find a better one. And be aware that if you ask ten beekeepers which is best, you will likely get ten different answers.