The 'problem' with queens because of the use of Fluvalinate (and Coumaphous)
is really the 'problem' with drone fertility.

Queen cells are largely made of new wax, so the contaminates are not
present.  However, drone cells primarily consist of old wax, which has
levels of contaminates that are almost unbelieveably high.  I have heard
of viable sperm counts that are as low as 50% of similar counts 20 years
ago.  The queen doesn't know that the 'juice' she is receiving is lacking in
sperm or that such sperm is not as viable as it should be.  However, this
quickly shows up in an irregular brood pattern and drone layers.

For those so inclined, several papers have been published on the subject.
This is why some beekeepers have been buying their queens from Hawaii, where
they have never had mites so they have never used chemicals.

--
Lloyd Spear
Owner Ross Rounds, Inc.
Manufacture of equipment for round comb honey sections,
Sundance Pollen Traps, and producer of Sundance custom labels.
Contact your dealer or www.RossRounds.com

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