Bill Truesdell wrote:

> The intent of IPM is responsible use of pesticides. There is no question
> that a set routine of pesticide use works and makes life much easier for
> the farmer/beekeeper/fruit grower but it can easily get into the area of
> overkill and misuse. And in the long run is counterproductive.

Bill,
You hit the nail on the head about IPM vs Strips. I like to add one thing
for beekeepers to think about. We already have lost Apistan because mites
developed resistance. The continuous use and rely on one single miticide
will always cause the development of resistance by varroa mites. If
beekeepers do not use a multiple strategy for mite control we will allow
mites to continue developing resistance to the used miticides. As an early
indication of this situation is happening, Coumaphos resistant varroa mites
have been found in limited areas in the US. Therefore, IPM vs Strips is a
long term sustainable strategy to keep strips in use for longer time.

Medhat

Rutgers University, NJ