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This was posted on Beesource by theriverhawk:



theriverhawk Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: sterrett, alabama
Posts: 112

Mite Away Quick Strips...new info

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Hey friends...Got this email yesterday. Just thought I'd pass it along. Sure would be nice if California picked up the pace!

Dear Beekeepers,

Thank you for inquiring about the status of Mite-Away Quick Strips™ (MAQS) availability in 2010.

Currently, a Section 18 pesticide registration application is being processed in California. California is acting as the lead state in the US registration process. Upon approval of this lead Section 18 application, other states may submit their own Section 18 applications. The Section 18 approval process takes 50 days. It is anticipated that those States submitting a Section 18 application quickly will receive approval in time for spring treatment, late April to early May.

In Canada, we are hoping to have distribution in place in time for spring treatment, through our usual distribution network. Please visit www.miteaway.com and click on the distributor link under Mite-Away II tab.

Mite-Away Quick Strips™ Treatment for Varroa Mites
Active ingredient is formic acid
Treatment period is only 7 days
2 strips are placed between the brood chambers
No extra equipment is required
Can be used between 50 and 92 degrees F.
Can be used mid summer, with honey supers on the hive
Mites are killed both on the bees and under the cap with 95% efficacy
Bees dispose of the pads

Commercial beekeepers planning to use MAQS in California may place pre-orders from Mann Lake or Dadant.

I will be in touch as more information on pricing and packaging becomes available. Please note that you are on a MAQS mailing list, so I can keep you up to date on the progress of Mite-Away Quick Strips!

Yours in beekeeping,

Liz Corbett

Business Manager
NOD Apiary Products
Toll free: 866-483-2929

I sent an E-mail to Blue Sky Bee Supply asking when they will be able to ship the Mite Away Quick Strips.
It looks like North Carolina is on the approved list.

Their reply:
We should have by April 1. We are closed for the week and I am not up on the current state by state registration status.
If NC is good to go, we can start shipping by 4/4.

Received this from Blue Sky. I would guess others will be shipping as well.
.........................................................................
These will start shipping 3/30/11. Pre-order now to be the first to get some.

http://blueskybeesupply.com/maqs_mite_a ... rips_.html

Best,
Jamie Morehead
Blue Sky Bee Supply

"Mites are killed both on the bees and under the cap with 95% efficacy "

At that rate, any guesses on how long until the mites that survive become resistant? 3 years?

I haven't heard anything about mites developing a resistance to formic acid, still, it couldn't hurt to alternate treatment forms and use a thymol based treatment or some other treatment in rotation with formic acid. No treatments have had 100% kill rates, but the mites have become resistant to some of the chemical/insecticide treatments.