I'm afraid I am unable to debate this with you.  I don't have the
background.  However, I believe the 1% is not the level of mites tolerant,
but the level the chemical didn't get to.  I.E., if the chemical had got to
them, they would have died.  I also believe use of old strips...those with
less than 99% efficacy, will leave to tolerance, but use of strips according
to label is unlikely to do so.
 
 -----Original Message-----
From: Joel Govostes <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Thursday, February 19, 1998 2:06 PM
Subject: Re: New Hives
 
 
>Given a 97% hypothetical kill by using weak strips, the 3% of mites that
>are left might be tolerant to *that weak level* of miticide.
>
>You can't get 'em all.  Even if you have the supposed 99% kill, that leaves
>1% surviving.  Why not take that result to the same conclusion -- it means
>that remaining 1% will still reproduce, and their offspring may well end up
>"tolerant" to the original concentration in the new strips.
>
>Given time, even that 1% would foil the use of Apistan as a reliable
control.
>
>On the other hand, a higher-than-recommended dose of fluvalinate would
>leave only the truly tolerant mites remaining, and then eventually their
>offspring could really make attempts at further control a nightmare.
>
>Bear in mind that the talk was given by a Sandoz representative... ;-{|
>
>What say ye?
>
>----------
>Lloyd Spear wrote:
>
>>I am not disputing what you said as a matter of pride, but only as what I
>>hope will be taken as clearing up a misconception.  My comments come from
>>listening to both representatives of Sandoz as well as representatives of
>>Ohio State, Penn State, and Cornell.
>>It is, as stated, very important to leave the strips in only as long as
>>directed on the package.  The reason is that the chemical discharge from
the
>>strips weakens over time and it is very important to keep a chemical
>>discharge with the planned potency to kill 99% of the mites.  If fewer tha
n
>>that number are killed, those remaining will be exposed to a dosage that
is
>>less potent and will build tolerance to the chemical.
>>Replacing the strips with new strips (with the 99% killing power) will not
>>encourage build up of tolerance!  Leaving in old strips with a reduced
>>killing power will!
>>In fact, one of the most interesting talks I heard (from a Sandoz
>>representative) was what would be the hypothetical result of a 97% kill
>>rate, rather than 99%.  It was frightening to hear him go through the
>>numbers on mite reproduction, with the 3% left, and what would happen to
the
>>hive!
>>Hope this helps.