This message  was originally submitted by  [log in to unmask]
to the BEE-L list at CNSIBM.ALBANY.EDU.  It was edited to remove
excessive quotes of previously posted material.
 
------------------ Original message (ID=130962) (129 lines) -------------------
Date: Mon, 7 Dec 1998 13:43:03 +0000
To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology
<[log in to unmask]>
From: Dr Max Watkins <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Apistan & Bayvarol
 
Well, you know any treatment which is used to the extent that
pyrethroids have been used will suffer the same consequence - of the
apparition of resistant strains at some point. That doesn't mean it's
the end of using pyrethroids.
 
The reason they have been used (in strip form or home-made concoctions)
is that they have controlled varroa mites and saved millions of honeybee
colonies from otherwise certain death over the past 10-12 years.
 
Apistan [and later, Bayvarol] was developed because of the demand from
beekeepers and beekeepeing institutes. Although by no means perfect,
Apistan is a useful tool in protecting bee health.
 
However, control programmes should involve more than one control agent
where at all possible. This is not so simple where honeybees are
concerned as most chemicals (and this includes naturally produced
substances) can kill bees as well as varroa, or/and they have some
undisirable effect such as being toxic to humans or leaving residues in
honey etc.
 
Biomechanical control methods may be useful but are not efficient on
their own. Some form of hive treatment will always be necessary if
varroa levels are to be kept down.
 
Vita (Europe) Limited has considerable experience of R&D in this field
and we are developing several new agents for protecting honeybee health.
One such product, named Apiguard, is a slow-release essential oils gel,
used for the control of varroa and other hive pests.
 
This is not another Apistan. It would be extremely difficult to achieve
those consistant 98-100% control levels. However, at an average of
around 90% varroa control (often much higher, sometimes a little lower),
this and/or other agents in rotation with proven medicines such as
Apistan can help to sustain a useful toolbox for beekeeping.
 
Resistance to one class of control agents does not necessarily spell the
end to those agents nor to beekeeping; the way we do things just has to
evolve.
 
Best Regards,
Max
 
In message <[log in to unmask]>, Computer Software
Solutions Ltd <[log in to unmask]> writes
>Blane White wrote:
>
>>If the mites are resistant to one yes they are resistant to the other
>>as well. This was clearly seen in the data obtained when fluvalinate
>>resistant varroa were found in South Dakota USA last fall.>In that
>>case neither apistan nor bayvoral provided any significant control of
>>the varroa mites in those colonies.  So the only benefit to have both
>>available is you get to pick which one you want to use.  You need to
>>have another material with a different chemistry available to rotate
>>with for resistance management.
>
True
 
> In my opinion the above post must represent the tolling of the bell
> for the use of both Apistan and Bayvarol for the control of varroa.
 
> Again in my opinion, the use of chemicals has played us false. I
> suppose that the big chemical companies will just pocket the dollars
> generated by Apistan and Bayvarol, thank you all very much, and let
> the R&D boys and girls get on with replacing these two products with
> some other so called treatment for some other problem.  What's a few
> billion bees, when the P&L accounts and the shareholders' interests
> must be protected?.  Maybe now is the time to re visit the FGMO option
> with significant research dollars while we still have bees to be
> attacked by varroa.
 
I don't know about "the P&L accounts and shareholders interests.."  -
Vita (Europe) Limited is a small company specialising in honeybee
health. We are not a multinational giant but we do operate worldwide -
through distributors. There is no hidden agenda here, we are dedicated
to the development, manufacturing and marketing of honeybee medicines
and we (generally!) receive great support from beekeepers for the work
we are trying to do - to provide the industry with the tools it so badly
needs.
 
Best regards,
Max
 
--
Dr Max Watkins
Director, Vita (Europe) Limited
Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 7RD, UK
 
Tel 44 (0) 1256 473 177
Fax 44 (0) 1256 473 179