Author: Ross Conrad Forward by Gary Paul Nabhan
Publisher: Chelsea Green Publishing, 2007
Soft Cover, 8.0"x10.0", 246 pages
From the Back Cover
Beekeepers face unprecedented challenges, a fact that is now front-page news with the spread of "colony collapse disorder." Newly introduced pests like the Varroa mite have made chemical treatment of hives standard practice, but pest resistance is building which in turn creates demand for new and even more toxic chemicals.
Natural Beekeepers offers a holistic, sensible alternative to conventional chemical practices with a program of narual hive management. Ross Conrad brings together his best "do-no-harm" strategies for keeping honeybees healthy and productive with nontoxic methods of controlling mites, eliminating American foulbrood disease (without the use of antibiotics), selective breeding for naturally resistant bees, and many other tips and techniques. Detailed management techniques are covered in a thoughtful, matter-of-fact way.