In message <[log in to unmask]>, Gerry Visel <[log in to unmask]> writes > > > While corresponding with an international beekeeper, he mentioned >using a product "BIPIN," that had Amitraz as the active (only?) >ingredient. It got dissolved in water and poured (?) on the bees between >the frames, if I understood him correctly. I can't say I've heard of this product, but here's a couple things that you might find helpful. Check out Amitraz at <http://ace.orst.edu/cgi- bin/mfs/01/pips/amitraz.p95>. In Europe it was/is used as a commercialy produced fumigant strip for tracheal mites. It has now been produced and EC registered as a contact strip (like Apistan) for varroa called Apivar. It would seem that in the last few years what I call an 'uncertain' safety assessment has been reviewed and seems more favorable. <I can hear you all now shouting 'no smoke without fire'> I'd like to know what they did to make it water soluble, surely its probably an emulsion, and used like Perizin/Apitol on the cluster.If so control of dose and dispersal would be the weakness, never mind transfer to honey. In some respects it seems a viable alternative to the synthetic pyrethriods if used as a hanging strip. -- Dave Black Blacks Bee Gardens, Guildford, GU1 4RN. UK.