Over the past 40 years, I have had four restarts to my backyard bee hive in Sacramento, California. First hive (in the 80's)after being a very generously prolific hive, just took off and split. 2nd hive (1990's) was a victim of Colony Collapse Syndrome, 3rd hive (2002) was victim of bee mites; and 4th (2010) was involved in a hostile takeover. I'm not giving up! I read (at this site) about a milk/lime whitewash solution for chicken coups using a Diatomaceous earth potion. Since DE is also used to eliminate undesirable bugs, I'm wondering what affect it will have on honey bees and bee hives, and ultimately the native honey hopefully robbed from the backyard hive. Any experts out there who can help me with this?? Thanks a billion!
