Regarding leaving Apistan in colonies over the winter; if you can
     possibly avoid doing it, don't do it. It won't give you any more
     protection than treating in late autumn and/or in early spring and it
     will increase the risk of selection for tau-fluvalinate resistant
     strains of Varroa mite.
 
     I'm not saying you WILL select but the risks are higher if you've
     already exposed mites to the pesticide earlier in the season and then
     you extend the treatment for a further 3-4 months later on. Treatment
     should be 4-6 weeks only and should be performed at a maximum twice
     per year, each treatment several months apart.
 
     I know it's difficult sometimes to time withdrawal of the strips
     before a cold spell hits but it's to your and to all your beekeeping
     neighbours' benefit if you can do this.
 
     If you really can't avoid the strips being in the hive over winter,
     take them out as soon as you can in the spring and don't treat again
     with Apistan until late summer/autumn. If the colony becomes very
     highly reinfested in the meantime you should try using another type of
     intermediary treatment, maybe such as formic acid, if available.
 
     As Technical Development Manager for Sandoz I've seen first hand how
     resistance can develop by submitting Varroa to all-year-round hive
     treatments in Italy - admittedly with uncontrolled dosage of illegal
     preparations such as Mavrik and other, different actives - but the
     result is potentially the same - resistant mites.
 
     ANY preparation (including natural products) which is efficaceous can
     lead to selection of resistance in its target species if the exposure
     is not controlled. In the case of Varroa treatments, Apistan is a very
     good tool but a tool is only effective if used skillfully.
 
     Beekeepers have the power to control Varroa resistance and the
     [long-term] effectiveness of Apistan - or of any other hive treatment
     product - by using the product wisely and to follow the label
     directions as closely as practicable. Accepting that it's not always
     possible to follow label directions to the letter, it's probably the
     best guide you can get.
 
 
 
     Hope this helps.
 
 
     Max
 
 
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Apistan
Author:  [log in to unmask] at INTERNET1
Date:    02/07/96 00:50
 
 
Thanks for the many replies to my earlier inquiry regarding Mite Control using
the new MITE SOLUTION.  Apistan wins hands down.  Now one more question
please.  What are the effects, if any, if the Apistan strip is left in over the
winter, say from October 1 to May 1?  Make it easy on Bee-L and rsvp direct to
[log in to unmask]  Thanks a million-no make that 2 million.  73s.