*_Environmental Fate_**:** *

    * *Breakdown in soil and groundwater:* Fluvalinate is of low
      persistence, with reported soil half-lives of 6 to 8 days [12,25].
      In sandy loam, sandy clay and clay soils, fluvalinate degrades
      under aerobic conditions with half-lives of 4 to 8 days. Under
      anaerobic conditions in sandy loam, its half-life may be 15 days
      [38]. Fluvalinate is nearly insoluble in water and it has a strong
      tendency to bind to soil particles [25]. It is therefore unikely
      to contaminate groundwater; however, metabolites of fluvalinate
      may leach [12,38]. Applications of less than 0.1 pound active
      ingredient per acre will decrease the potential for groundwater
      contamination [38]. Photodegradation of fluvalinate does not occur
      on soil [38]
    * *Breakdown in water:* In water, fluvalinate is subject to
      photodegradation with a half-life of up to 1 day. Photodegradation
      yields anilino acid and 3-phenoxy benzoic acid [38]. Fluvalinate
      is stable to hydrolysis under normal environmental temperatures
      and pH [38]. In pond waters and in laboratory degradation studies,
      pyrethroid concentrations decrease rapidly due to sorption to
      sediment, suspended particles and plants. Microbial and
      photodegradation also occur [22].
    * *Breakdown in vegetation:* No information was found.


That is the quote from the link. It will break down in water with light 
quickly. It will break down in soil with air and without air. In 
essence, there is not just one route that will cause it to break down, 
since it does. The only issue is how fast.

You can also check the Wellmark International site for the MSDS which 
says about the same thing.

http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:VxxAt6SSjKQJ:www.apistan.com/msds_specimen/apistan_msds.pdf+apistan+%22half+life%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us

And for 3-phenoxy benzoic acid :

http://www.pesticideinfo.org/Detail_Chemical.jsp?Rec_Id=PC34046

There is water (moisture) in honey and especially in nectar.

Stable to hydrolysis means it does not react with water, not that it 
does not breakdown in water, which it does do with light fairly quickly. 
Light means light.

Perspective here- that we are talking about a strip that has an 
exceptionally low concentration of fluvalinate and normally used in the 
fall. If you are going to get contaminated honey it will be from those 
who purchase animal treatments and use it on bees when there are supers 
on. I would not rule out contamination cause by misuse of anything and 
my guess is that is where most contaminated wax comes from. My issue was 
and is with the condemnation,by some on this list, of all beekeepers who 
use controls responsibly.

The concentrations and half life of Apistan are such that it would be 
unlikely to ever find it in summer honey when used according to 
directions and probably even when not. It is just not that persistent. 
Good house guest.

Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine

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