> Our experience is that small-scale beekeepers are further ahead than large-scale beekeepers in acceptance of resistant bees. This is understandable, because commercial beekeepers are necessarily more averse to risks and the technology is new.

That is also because biological approaches are more variable than 
chemical treatments.

Maintaining resistant stock, especially in the early stages requires 
closer observation and management of queens. Commercial operators are 
often distant from their hives and while they are absent, supersedure 
happens at a fairly high rate.  Drones in the region may not be 
resistant at all.

Converting to resistant stock takes time and effort and maintaining that 
stock can be difficult.

Moreover, in any batch of purchased or raised queens, individuals may 
range from highly resistant to susceptible, and there is no practical 
way to identify the rogues.

On the other hand, chemical measures, properly administered,  tend to be 
consistent across all hives.

In order to obtain greater acceptance by commercial operators, the 
proponents of resistant stock need to develop and promote practical 
management systems that approach the same consistency as chemical solutions.

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