> Allen is not claiming to have personally used the product.

That is true, but I did investigate it thoroughly at the time Medhat was in
Ontario and he was working on the method(and he was very much in favour of
it at that time), and I decided other methods were much more attractive to
me.

> I also note that
> Mite-Away's current product is MiteAway II, and is distinct from
> MiteAway I, which failed to properly release the formic.  I wonder
> which product Allen's aquaintences used?

I think that they used an earlier version, not that there are huge
differences.  The product has gone through a series of improvements, and at
each stage, word was that the problems were solved.  AFAIK, it is mainly the
size and shape of the holes that keeps changing.  Perhaps there are other
changes, too, but I am not aware of them.

> However, I do not believe that anyone has ever implied that Mite-Away
> is an appropriate product for all climate conditions.  I certainly did
> not mean to.  I would also like to be clear that I do not have
> anything other than a commercial relationship with the company or its
> principals.

Nope, you did not, and your report is much appreciated, particuarly since
you report success.  Obviously the method works.  My only caveat is that
results have been reported to be quite variable, with possible collateral
damage.  I'm hoping you monitored your mites before and after and also the
effect on brood and subsequent honey production.  If you did, and can share
that info, it might help me look more favourably on the method.

> Based on just one use, in the fall of 2004, and seeing my bees now
> compared with how they were at this time in recent years, I am very
> enthuastic.  Time will tell whether that enthuasism is justified.

That's true, and it would be really helpful to know what your mite levels
were before and after, and since, because we all know that time and time
again, beekeepers often report their bees look "great", just before they
crater from varroa.

> There is another method of using formic in these hostile climates.
> That is the 'flash' method.  You can learn more at
> http://www.reineschapleau.wd1.net/index.html.  Jean-Paul is a
> respected researcher.

I like that method.  I like it a lot, even though, just like the Mite Away,
it requires extra equipment.  In the latter, though, the extra equipment is
a floor with a drawer for checking drop and applying acid.  It stays under
the hive and is not an extra piece of stuff to put on and off and haul
around.  That being said, I have never tried either of those two methods.

> As always, I hope these comments help those who aspire to become
> better beekeepers or to otherwise improve their husbandry.

Amen.  We share that goal.

...And monitor and monitor and monitor.

allen
A Beekeeper's Diary: http://www.honeybeeworld.com/diary/
Did I mention beekeepers should monitor their mite loads?

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