Ron,
As you say - 100% kill of Varroa mites by methods accepted is not realistic.

Your logic is to kill those that are "in the open" - therefore reducing the period of time that a
pesticide is being applied in the hive environment.
This then possibly resulting in the amount of material being transferred into the wax medium.

Several points:
1. Is the transfer of active material into wax a steady constant, or is a disproportionate amount
transferred during the first few days/week a strip is in the hive?

2. Varroa mite kill: What is the proportion of mites outside the brood and open to pesticide contact
compared to those being protected by being in a sealed cell environment?

It may be interesting to see that for example, 99% of these outside mites drop - but if a high
proportion are left, having been shielded in the cells, these then may raise the viable population
above a threshold value very quickly after having emerged.

Regards,
Peter

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