> > > Which of the following is similar to overwintering with Apistan
strips in one's hives?... <snip> This question was well addressed by
competent chemists and biologists nearly a decade ago... Back in 1995 a
very complete discussion of this very point was held on this mailing
list.  The essential facts were given in this message.  Which I will
paste below, just to insure that it can be read by all who might have
any remaining questions on this point. < < <

In spite of dismissive anologies and voluminous, albeit selective quotes
from a long-dead previous discussion, the matter at hand has been
debated and examined here on this list -- and elsewhere -- in much more
depth, and in light of more information since then, and we all know more
than we did then.

For one thing, although the notion was not popular at the time, it was
known *from the start* by scientists and anyone who would listen, that
Apistan(r) resistance would develop with high probability somewhere --
probably in a southern region -- within 10 years of introduction of
Apistan(r), regardless of illegal treatments or abuse.  It is just the
nature of the method..

Granted, application not according to label -- deliberate or
accidental -- and the application of other closely related pesticides in
place of, or along with, Apistan(r), did not help matters any and could
have sped the development of resistance a bit, but the end result was
known and the timeframe predicted from the start.

As for leaving the strips in over winter, the word "winter' has
different meanings in the south and in the far northern regions of the
continent.  What is not reasonable in the southern US, (and, yes, I have
seen hives on the California/Mexico border with BOTH Apistan and
coumophos strips in January) *may* be reasonable in Canadian regions
where the bees retreat from the upper brood box for months, then return
to raise brood in early spring.

I might also mention to anyone who has never run a commercial outfit or
hired staff, that it is not at all uncommon to disassemble a hive and
find a strip that has broken and/or slipped down (bad design) or simply
been missed by staff when removing strips.  It is just a  fact of life
that nothing like this is cut and dried.

I am not advocating this leaving strips in over winter, since I know a
better and more effective time to apply the strips, but I have heard the
practice considered reasonable by persons who hold great respect in our
industry.  In fact, some respectable research has recently (is
currently?) been taking place on this very practice.

I hope we can discuss these topics without resorting to ridicule or
citing long-dead arguments.  The practice discussed may still be
inadvisable, but we need to consider it levelly  Things have changed,
and will continue to change.  We need to stay on top of new ways of
thinking.  These matters are never settled forever.

IMO, anyhow.

allen
http://www.honeybeeworld.com/diary/