Jim's reasoned post was thought provoking and brought me to the question 
of are we really practicing IPM in beekeeping? He alluded to it.

IPM is a method that is designed for a farmer to both economically and 
prudently apply pesticides (includes fungicides and the like) to a crop. 
Generally a statistical threshold is reached before applying the 
pesticide which allows the right amount at the right time. We really 
cannot do that in beekeeping because the "crops", which are our colonies 
, are not uniform but have distinctly different populations and possible 
infestation. It is not unlike a group of people who are exposed to the 
flu. You can inoculate them as a preventative (which we presently cannot 
do with Varroa), but you treat each individually when they come down 
with the flu. You do not treat the group with antibiotics and fever 
reducers since all do not have the flu.

So if we use a statistical threshold mite count for an apiary, we are 
practicing "IPM" but are using a shotgun when a rifle is needed which is 
counter to IPM. Unfortunately it is the best of a bad world, since any 
other method will be uneconomical for a large operation and courting 
disaster if not practiced. In truth, what actually is happening in large 
operations is treatments are scheduled and that schedule is broken only 
if things get out of hand. Unfortunately, that is true with smaller 
operations also. "Treat in the fall....".

Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine

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