<< Given the simplicity of sticky board monitoring, and the vital
 information that even a few boards in an apiary can return,  I find it
 hard to believe that there are still beekeepers out there who have never
 used a sticky board, but there are quite a few.  Why >>

I believe the problem amongst hobby beekeepers in UK is that once they have
bought equipment when setting up, they think that's it.  There is no follow
up by suppliers, telling of new developments and need to update.  Journal
circulation is a lot less than the number of people keeping bees. Sticky
boards are also a clumsy half-way answer at best - by now, it should have
become standrad practice to modify ALL hives to incorporate PERMANENT open
mesh floors, which can have simple wood or wipe-clean plastic trays slid or
clipped beneath, with or without a solid floor below that.  Monitoring only
a selection of hives in an apiary can miss the odd one with above-average
infestation, which increases spread of Varooa.     Monitoring can only
become more necessary as resistant mites spread and we have to start using a
range of carefully-timed methods for Varooa control  - unless of course a
new super 'silver bullet' appears , returning us to the golden age when all
we have to do is insert an annual treatment at a fixed time.

Robin Dartington

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