Lloyd Spear wrote:
> ... "sounds like", but is not, a cause and
> effect situation.  In fact, I heard it again several weeks ago during the
> Southern Adirondack Beekeeper's Association spring seminar.

I was at the same seminar, and what I heard (contrasted with what Shim may
have actually said)
was that the use of extender patties may not be the culprit, but they
certainly may have exacerbated the problem.  In other words, had extender
patties not arrived on the scene we would probably still be seeing oxytet
resistence in AFB.

However, the conditions Lloyd mentioned (wide spread use and the length of
time the oxytetracycline is on the hive) coupled with unsure dosage (both in
formulation in patties and amount consumed by the bees) has made the
surfacing problem worse.  Dusting remains a less convenient but more sure
way of delivering a better known does to a hive over a shorter period of
time.

Another recommendation from Dr. Shimanuki was to start to wean your bees
from the oxytet merry-go-around on a per yard basis.  If you are a regular
treater, pick a yard to simply stop treating.  Watch for outbreaks, cull if
any, and stop the treating cycle.  He did NOT recommend to cold turkey your
entire operation, but start with a yard to see what happens.  If you have
success, attempt weaning another yard.  Learn as you go and make an attempt
stop using the drugs.

There are also alternative treatments to oxytet on the horizon.  One was
named (I don not have my notes and do not recall the name) but as I recall,
the residual half life was 10 times that of TM.  The other treatment was not
named by request of the manufacturer until they release the product.

I am in the process of summarizing the Southern Adirondack Beekeeper's
Association spring seminar for their newsletter which will go to press near
the end of next week.  I will post to BEE-L a copy of that summary.

Aaron Morris - I think, therefore I bee!