In a message dated 1/10/2005 12:19:50 PM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:


All those which used the other two illegal formulas you helped create the
"super varroa" by under dosing  or overdosing in some cases and most likely have
got serious brood wax contamination problems.


    "Super Varroa" was inevitable and clearly evident from the pest strips
advertising when it stated it was "98% effective."  That sounded like a good
claim until you realize that the remaining 2% survived because they had a natural
immunity.  That 2% lived to have offspring that was even more resistant.
When you repeat the process you eventually end up with 100% immunity.  Having
more choices of treatments and rotating them, using them only when needed would
have slowed the process, but the end result would eventually be the same.

    Over application is a common mistake, when the pesticide starts to loose
its effectiveness.  Over application will not kill a bug faster.  A lethal
dose is a lethal dose, and if the bug is immune that dose probably will not be
reached without killing the bees first.  An over application will generally make
a pesticide residual last much longer than expected, however.

    Comparing Super Varroa to the current city German Cockroach is a good
example.  Cockroaches became immune to organophosphates ten years ago.  We found
a bait that killed almost 100%, less than 1% didn't die because they refused
to eat it.  Now we have a cockroach that is organophosphate resistant and bait
shy.  Our mistake was to treat with the bait alone.  To chemically conquer the
bug the treatments need to be rotated and frequently changed altogether.

    A new chemical treatment will only put a Band-Aid on the problem and buy
a little more time.

Jim Hock
Wethersfield, CT

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