Jim asked in relation to re-invasion problem:

> That's an unexpected statement, what did Mr. Martin say?

As I have reported, the lecture explained why infested colonies die in
winter and stressed that colonies should be treated (if necessary) as soon
as the crop is removed (early august here) to ensure the production of
healthy bees to overwinter.

During questions after the talk, concern was expressed that if beekeepers
treated so early, e.g. from the end of the first week of august, then
treatment would finish around 21 September for strips and 7 September for
thymol.  He was asked whether this would leave the colonies open to
re-invasion, but dismissed as not being significant.

Of course, we were all taught in the early days that re-invasion was a major
problem caused mainly by highly infested colonies breaking up and drifting
into surrounding colonies.  Perhaps now, in most of the UK at least, this is
no longer a problem as varroa is fairly well controlled and we do not have
many highly infested colonies looking for a more congenial home.

I would have little reason to doubt Dr Stephen Martin's work, or maths, as
he worked at the National Bee Unit and produced the varroa modelling program
and calculator.

Peter Edwards
[log in to unmask]
www.stratford-upon-avon.freeserve.co.uk/

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and  other info ---
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::