> While this list is tolerant of FGMO discussions they are not
> necessarily in favor of this type of treatment.
FWIW, this list does not have one opinion about any topic. BEE-L has a wide
range of participants, ranging from wannabee and new beekeepers to respected
editors, authors, research scientists, commercial beekeepers, retired
beekeepers, and others interested in bees, including, in fact, Dr. Rodriguez
himself. The fogging method of application was first pioneered in
California two decades ago and apparently abandoned, but then later proposed
on this list when attempts to use wax paper strips with FGMO failed to work
as hoped. A number of list members practice FGMO fogging, and report here
from time to time.
As with any topic, there are some members who feel compelled to challenge
the efficacy of FGMO and rigour of FGMO tests. Some are more diplomatic
than others, but BEE-L tends to show some scepticism on any claims. IMO,
coumaphos use has gotten just as hard a ride (harder!) here as FGMO.
> Please check out the following link as all of your questions will be
readily answered.
> http://www.beesource.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/forumdisplay.cgi?
> action=topics&forum=FGMO&number=11&DaysPrune=30&LastLogin=
The URL given previously was broken in the wrap, so, here is a shorter one
that will take you into the heart of that forum:
http://www.beesource.com/ubb/Forum11/HTML/000181.html
I'm not sure they will answer all questions, but there is active discussion
on the topic there. Just as here, there seem to be many opinions on that
bulletin board (See below). The thing that strikes me, though, is that
almost everyone in that discussion seems to be actually measuring -- and
actually knows -- their own daily mite fall, on a regular basis. To me that
is the very first thing that every beekeeper must do to speak intelligently
on the topic -- or to treat his/her bees effectively -- no matter what
control method is favoured. I gather Dr. Rodriguez is away in Spain right
now, but he is active on that board, and also here on BEE-L when he is
around.
Since the forum does not seem to cantain an FAQ, I looked around for an FGMO
FAQ and found these articles that may be helpful.
http://www.beesource.com/pov/rodriguez/bmite&mo.htm
http://www.beesource.com/pov/rodriguez/minoilapp.htm
http://www.beesource.com/pov/rodriguez/minoiltest.htm
http://www.beesource.com/pov/rodriguez/minoiltest2.htm
http://www.beesource.com/pov/rodriguez/graphs.htm
http://www.beesource.com/pov/rodriguez/abjjan2003.htm
http://www.beesource.com/pov/rodriguez/fgmo2001report.htm
While at the forum, on the thread
http://www.beesource.com/ubb/Forum11/HTML/000181.html, you will see the
following message from Axtmann posted October 23, 2003 11:32 AM From:
Germany. he is an active participant of that forum with 133 previous posts,
so I assume he has been watching closely...
--- begin quote from the forum --
Go to the following site!
http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/archives/bee-l.html
I don't trust FGMO!!! If you're using the fogging treatment with oil it's
your business but I wouldn't stay on "one leg". There many negative articles
about FGMO, in the beginning it might work but after two or tree years the
"time of true" will come. Too many beekeepers lost their colonies. The
argument this beekeeper didn't follow 100% the instructions is not fair. A
good working treatment begins with the method of easy using.
Who wants to play with a fogger every 7 days, some beekeeper twice the week,
for the whole live???
And if this failed you must have don a mistake with your cord .. It's your
fault not the instructor.
http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/FGMOBeekeeping/
In 2002 lots of "positive articles" but this year. ..Quiet!! I wonder why??
It's crazy to treat colonies one the week during the whole year and at the
end of the year MITES STILL FALLING. There shouldn't be any mite left after
50 treatments! The brood cycle from the honeybee is 21 days, if the
treatment would work with a very low result (60%) you can figure out by your
self how long it would take to get rid of ALL mites. The reification is not
an excuse, this will be possible maybe on one or two hives but not on the
whole bee yard.
And now they find out there other ingredients necessary in the cord to be
MORE successful! Some companies have Thymol in there products. this must be
a good stuff, ok lets putt some of that GOOD STUFF in the cord and we might
have success too! CRAZY!
Instead saying this treatment is not that what beekeepers help, they playing
with different methods and using hundreds of beekeepers as test objects. If
the tests failed who cares, all testers worked for free and on there one
risk. Nobody has the right to complain or will get a refund.
--- end quote ---
I might also add that at the recent BCHPA meeting in Kelowna B.C., a
Provincial Apiarist (and very well-known reseaqrcher) stood up to warn the
assembly that a small commercial beekeeper had placed faith in FGMO fogging
*without monitoring the results* and had lost almost all hives as a direct
result. Another Apiarist from another province also stood up to relate a
similar experience. I stood up and pointed out that it might have some
usefulness in an IPM scenario, BUT, I also warned that monitoring the before
and after is the key. Many reports have shown that FGMO fog alone will not
provide adequate control in mant cases. That fact can be confirmed by the
assertion by Dr, rodriguez, himseld, in theat same forum, that he is now
investigatiing use of thymol in the fog.
I personally believe that FGMO can have an application, but just be careful
that it is working in YOUR situation. No method is foolproof, and this one
is more operator dependant than mant.
allen
http://www.honeybeeworld.com
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