>> I have been noticing several DWV affected bees outside of my garden >> hives. Definitely HIGH mite levels. I cannot use Apistan, much less >> check-mite due to organic restrictions on the farm. (I would not anyway). > Use Sucrocide Jonathan if your organic status needs to be maintained. I'm not sure that the suggestion is based upon accurate information. I don't want to be so pedantic, I get listed in "Who's Whom", but I think that he should check with his certifying agent before he buys any "Sucrocide", lest he commit "organic suicide". :) If he were to use SOE today, he might be putting his farm's organic status at risk. SOE does not appear in the "National List" of substances approved for any organic use, or the "Final Amendments". http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/NationalList/ListHome.html Not yet, anyway. While there is a petition pending for SOE as a "synthetic organic insecticide" for "livestock" applications, it is merely a petition. http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/NationalList/PetitionedSubstancesDatabase.htm The document above is very clear about one point: "Substances On This Site May Not Be Used In Organic Production Or Handling Before The Effective Date Of Any Final Rule Adding The Substance To The National List." So, the fat lady isn't even humming yet. There is no telling if or when she might sing. And is it just me, or does the phrase "synthetic organic" strike anyone else as a classic knee-slapper? Regardless, I'm pretty sure that spraying SOE on a bee colony is going to result in some serious overspray, and some of the chemical will get on the ground. As it appears that SOE is not (yet) approved as an organic pesticide for any application, I'd conclude that he would not be able to use it in good conscience on an organic farm, even if "only on the beehive". jim (Only bloggers confuse the internet with reality) :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::