*_Environmental Fate_**:** * * *Breakdown in soil and groundwater:* Fluvalinate is of low persistence, with reported soil half-lives of 6 to 8 days [12,25]. In sandy loam, sandy clay and clay soils, fluvalinate degrades under aerobic conditions with half-lives of 4 to 8 days. Under anaerobic conditions in sandy loam, its half-life may be 15 days [38]. Fluvalinate is nearly insoluble in water and it has a strong tendency to bind to soil particles [25]. It is therefore unikely to contaminate groundwater; however, metabolites of fluvalinate may leach [12,38]. Applications of less than 0.1 pound active ingredient per acre will decrease the potential for groundwater contamination [38]. Photodegradation of fluvalinate does not occur on soil [38] * *Breakdown in water:* In water, fluvalinate is subject to photodegradation with a half-life of up to 1 day. Photodegradation yields anilino acid and 3-phenoxy benzoic acid [38]. Fluvalinate is stable to hydrolysis under normal environmental temperatures and pH [38]. In pond waters and in laboratory degradation studies, pyrethroid concentrations decrease rapidly due to sorption to sediment, suspended particles and plants. Microbial and photodegradation also occur [22]. * *Breakdown in vegetation:* No information was found. That is the quote from the link. It will break down in water with light quickly. It will break down in soil with air and without air. In essence, there is not just one route that will cause it to break down, since it does. The only issue is how fast. You can also check the Wellmark International site for the MSDS which says about the same thing. http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:VxxAt6SSjKQJ:www.apistan.com/msds_specimen/apistan_msds.pdf+apistan+%22half+life%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us And for 3-phenoxy benzoic acid : http://www.pesticideinfo.org/Detail_Chemical.jsp?Rec_Id=PC34046 There is water (moisture) in honey and especially in nectar. Stable to hydrolysis means it does not react with water, not that it does not breakdown in water, which it does do with light fairly quickly. Light means light. Perspective here- that we are talking about a strip that has an exceptionally low concentration of fluvalinate and normally used in the fall. If you are going to get contaminated honey it will be from those who purchase animal treatments and use it on bees when there are supers on. I would not rule out contamination cause by misuse of anything and my guess is that is where most contaminated wax comes from. My issue was and is with the condemnation,by some on this list, of all beekeepers who use controls responsibly. The concentrations and half life of Apistan are such that it would be unlikely to ever find it in summer honey when used according to directions and probably even when not. It is just not that persistent. Good house guest. Bill Truesdell Bath, Maine ****************************************************** * Full guidelines for BEE-L posting are at: * * http://www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/guidelines.htm * ******************************************************