Back in Sept. I put Apistan in my 2 hives to deal with an escalating mite problem. (over 100 mites over 24 hrs. in each hive, sticky board under screened bottom boards) The Apistan seemed to be doing the trick until after 2 brood cycles (42 days) I noticed that the 24 hr. mite count was staying around 80, after dropping down from over 1000 when I first put the strips in. I called our county inspector and he told me it appears I have developed some mites that are resistant to the Apistan. He recommended I switch to another miticide. I had Check-Mite on hand, so I removed the Apistan and put in the Check-Mite. That was on Nov. 25 (20 days ago). The first day after Check-Mite, I had a drop of approx. 300 mites in 24 hrs. per hive. A couple of days later, 150, a couple days later, 80 in one 70 in the other. On 12/14 I had only 5 mites in one hive and 8 in the other. It appears that the Check-Mite is doing the job.
Here's the question: Should I go ahead and remove the strips this week (assuming my mite count by Friday is zero), or risk waiting longer (to catch another brood cycle) when the temps. may be well under 50 degrees for a long time. I know I can't leave them on longer than 42 days. On 12/18 it should be warm enough to remove the strips. Also, I'll be away from 12/19 through 12/28, so can't remove the strips until I return home. Is it safe to remove the strips as long as I'm not seeing any mites drop?
Here's the question: Should I go ahead and remove the strips this week (assuming my mite count by Friday is zero), or risk waiting longer (to catch another brood cycle) when the temps. may be well under 50 degrees for a long time. I know I can't leave them on longer than 42 days. On 12/18 it should be warm enough to remove the strips. Also, I'll be away from 12/19 through 12/28, so can't remove the strips until I return home. Is it safe to remove the strips as long as I'm not seeing any mites drop?