Jim Bach provided some information that was published in the July 1994
   edition of Bee sCene, the publication of the British Columbia Honey
   Producers' Association (B.C. HPA).
   Perhaps he has published a more complete version of the test. If any one
   knows, I would appreciate hearing. I don't know how valid the method is,
   and he didn't include any actual correlation with field results.
 
   Kerry Clark, Apiculture Specialist
   B.C. Ministry of Agriculture
   1201 103 Ave
   Dawson Creek B.C.
        V1G 4J2  CANADA          Tel (604) 784-2225     fax (604) 784-2299
   INTERNET [log in to unmask]
 
   He wrote (abbreviated):
    Recently I had some Apistan strips tested by the state chemical
   laboratory. The lab used alcohol swabs to remove available fluvalinate
   from the surface, then determined the amount of fluvalinate in the
   swabs.
 
   3 samples of 10 strips:
 
   #1. new strips opened last fall.
 
   #2. strips used in treating colonies for 45 days: slightly travel
   stained
 
   #3. strips used in treating colonies for 45 days:: "more heavily travel
   stained: minimal propolis and wax particles"
 
   Results:
 
   #1 (new): 809 ug
 
   #2        201 ug     24.8 % of new
 
   #3        142 ug     17.6 % of new
 
   He concluded," These results may explain the observed ineffectiveness or
   reduced effectiveness of treatments in Florida and elsewhere when one
   new and one old strip is used to treat colonies for Varroa."