Original message subjet line was "[BEE-L] globe and
mail article" by --- Rob Termeer
<[log in to unmask]> who wrote the main lines
indicated by ">":
Response by David VanderDussen, NOD Apiary Products

> Prov. Apiarist Doug
> McRory's report indicates 
> to me Fall symptoms common to the Varroa/PMS
> collapse that I have gone 
> through to varying degrees beginning in fall/winter
> 2000/01 at 25% with the 
> most severe loss of 70%...750 dead of 1100,
> occurring in 2002/03. 

25% losses every winter since 2000/01 is very high and
very expensive.  I consider under 20% workable, under
10% normal and under 5% to be the goal. My beekeeping
is just West of yours, north of Trenton, Ontario.  In
the same time period my winter losses have been from 1
to 7%. Occasionally a bad year or yard can raise the
numbers due to environmental issues, since long before
mites hit winters still had to be dealt with and bad
losses would sometimes occur. 

I've raised and sold nucs for 20 years, so making sure
the bees survived winter in a strong condition is an
important part of my income strategey. 

>I am very curious as to what
> stock and mite 
> management systems are/were being used where major
> losses occurred. 

Here is a link to the youtube site, showing the nuc
box we use for our rapid colony production program. I
used this design for seven years before we decided to
try to mass produce and market it.  New out this
spring, just took the first of the production line to
the Ontario Beekeepers Meeting last week. Have a look:
http://www.youtube.com/NODApiaryProducts
  
> Today I am totally relying on the 2 acids
> (Oxalic,Formic) since I now have 
> varroa resistent to both Apistan and Coumaphos and
> chemical wise I prefer 
> the acids if I can get sufficient control to stay in
> business. It would be 
> prudent to have another reliable alternative
> treatment 

I have used just the MiteAwayII formulation of formic
for mite control since 2002 and the bees are doing
great!  Better than with Apistan. We just drop on a
pad in the spring when we unwrap (start unwrapping
around April 20th, weather permitting) and in
September when pulling the last boxes we drop on one
for a fall treatment.  Last fall there wasn't any sign
of DWV and bees looked clean and healthy.  I was
concerned with the lack of pollen in the hives (and
they were light) and perhaps I should have put on a
pollen suppliment, but I didn't.  The bees I've seen
this spring, just by cracking innner covers, look like
they came through in good shape again.  Five years in
and MiteAwayII has proven very reliable and simple to
use. 

We did a survey last week of our customers that have
gone onto the MiteAwayII treatment program.  The
average is just under 7% losses. Beekeepers that go
through the adjustment off strips and onto our rims
and pads have a sustainable future ahead of them. 
More and more commercial beekeepers are making the
switch.

I'm glad you prefer the acids but it is unfortuate you
had to go through the resistance to Apistan and
CheckMite losses before making the switch.  Do not be
content with a 25% loss!  However you are applying
formic acid it is not doing the job. There is a proven
better way!  

Hopefully other beekeepers in Canada will learn from
you sharing your experiences and will not suffer the
same pain.

yours in beekeeping,
David v.
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