no comb rotation for 8 years
no comb rotation for 8 years
Seems the simple answer is for someone to have comb samples tested in a gas chromatograph over a period of years building up a real data set of how (or if) chemicals build up in used brood comb. You would then have real values of chemical buildup to put with observations of hive health instead of just guessing at some arbitrary period of time. You could also correlate chemical buildup in comb with chemical load of pollen brought in by bees by regular testing of pollen from pollen traps. Is there a strong correlation to chemical contamination of pollen brought in vs chemical build up in the comb?
without tracking of something like the above (a hard number) then your results will be subject to so many other variables as to make any results a subject of endless debate on forums for forever in the future.
Zone 5a, Practicing non-intervention beekeeping
Analyzing what's in a comb is one thing, figuring out how it interacts with the bees is another.
There's another factor from the survey that I really don't know how to analyze, namely reusing brood comb that's been taken out of production:
I'm not quite sure about the meaning of "taken out of production" in this context. Don't most of us move comb around from hive to hive and store any excess comb until we need it? Sometimes it's needed in a few days, a week, or just later in the season as the brood nest contracts and expands. Don't we all strive to have some comb on hand that is already drawn but empty? So I have no idea how ( or even IF) to apply this particular stat. It seems like it is saying this is a dangerous method and leads to losses--but that doesn't make any sense to me!Beekeepers who reported reusing old brood comb in their colonies reported losing on average 12.6 more colonies per 100 (49.5% more) than beekeepers who did not report reusing brood comb that had been taken out of production or purchased.
I agree. But it should at least point us in helpful directions, don't you think? The problems arise trying to figure out what the stats actually mean, or if they mean anything at all!Again, data interpretation through pure numbers alone isn't going to find all the answers.
ANY results no matter how obtained will be debated by beekeepers endlessly on forums.without tracking of something like the above (a hard number) then your results will be subject to so many other variables as to make any results a subject of endless debate on forums for forever in the future.
"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics."
- Mark Twain
The numbers/data can point us in the direction, but answers...
Debate can often be solved through scientific method. There doesn't seem to be a lot of money for that in beekeeping so one has to go with what they "know", have been told from trusted sources or what they learn themselves. Fortunately, bees seem to be tolerant and adaptable so there seems to be a lot of room at the margins.
"it frustrates me to see people attempt science only in a really poor way."
Thats because you frustrate yourself by a lack of observation skills. I made no reference to comb contamination!