Its almost impossible to 100% sure about anything ,
But that doesn't mean we should give up and not try to do the best for our bees and the honey we produce. ;)
mvh edward :-P
I agree.
Unfortunately, we have many that will take a simply concept of trying to do things better, and back up their narrow minded approach of beekeeping, and will distort truth, common sense, and integrity, to do so.
Saying one uses foundationless systems so bees can draw untainted comb, or that bees will be healthier are half truths at best. Nobody can say what is in their bees comb unless they tested it. It could easily be assumed that chemicals in the area of any hive are a more potential risk than what minuscule amount have been found in foundation. But you will find beekeepers blowing out of proportion any suggestions of chemicals in commercial foundation to rationalize their own thoughts, to promote what they are selling, or the concept or beekeeping approach they follow. And yet, time and time again, bees have been found to contaminate their own hives locally, and not one shred of proof has been shown that foundation is harmful.
We just had an article posted about the "Red Bees of Red Hook", showing once again, they will eat, collect, and store anything they can.
Now we just added the suggestion that wax foundation may be a source for cross contamination. Of what? AFB? Some wax is bleached in making foundation. Some is heated. Not sure that does a whole bunch for disease. But not once ion the history of beekeeping as far as I know, has their been a sliver of evidence that foundation transmots AFB or any other disease. And yet, we just had someone make that suggestion and planted that seed in other beekeepers heads. I'm sure some will be adding this to their websites this morning as another justification for one thing or another to promote.
Just because the next guy's stuff was tested and something was found, does not make the finger pointer's stuff any better without testing. But boy, do we have many finger pointers.