In message <000601c4c1ab$9ab88990$34b85ad1@Nemo>, allen dick
<[log in to unmask]> writes
>From the table at http://www.honeybeeworld.com/diary/, it is clear that the
>styro hives are in serious danger of loss after about 18 months from the
>last Apistan(r) treatment, while the wooden hives (except one) show very low
>levels.

I would probably go along with that.

Good spring treatment, then first collapses about the end of the second
summer, so yes, about 18 months.

My surprise is thus not at your findings with the polys, but with the
wooden ones. We would have the first collapses at broadly the same time,
end of the second season after treating. Deformed bees probably
appearing in fewer numbers due to lower mite count, but still enough to
impair the wintering.

>My strong suspicion, based on a chance discovery that needs further proving,
>is that, given the same bees and location (one only so far), varroa may
>build to problem levels much more quickly in styro boxes and need controls
>sooner.

I would not say it should have the category of a 'suspicion'. I would
say it is a fact. Any difference of opinion hinges on the word 'much'
and just how big a much we are talking about.

Murray
--
Murray McGregor

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