Update on MAQS:

After running trials with the strips in November (the current formulation),
the strong colonies that were treated looked fine for almonds.  There were
some queen losses in some of the weak colonies, but I can't say whether due
to the strips, virus, or whatever.

I have manually removed the strips this month-- the bees didn't completely
remove them themselves over winter--don't know what would happen in warmer
weather.

At Galveston, Dr Ethel Villalobos from Hawaii took time to go over her data
from the MAQS trials there.  Very impressive!  Very high mite kill, both
phoretic and under the cappings.  She didn't observe queen loss problems.
 She plans to publish her results.

Re similarity to other formic treatments, MAQS are a whole different animal
than Miteaway II.

I'm looking forward to testing them in warmer weather!  However, as Bob
says, there is generally a learning curve for any treatment, and I would
test it yourself prior to treating all your hives!

Randy Oliver

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