Hello All

The following e mail was sent to the Irish Beekeeping Discussion List and I
have secured permission from the author to re transmit it.

I would value the opinions of members of BEE-L on the contents. I would also
ask for permission to retransmit the replies to the Irish beekeeping
Discussion List.

Sincerely
Tom Barrett


Subject: treating bees for varroa using oxalic acid

>The treatment we use is a ready made solution produced in Germany with
oxalic acid as the active agent.
>
>No accumulation of the substance was found in the wax and in the honey as
has been proven in several tests carried out under scientific conditions.
All traces had vanished three weeks after the application.
>
>The bees do not have to be soaked.
>The application procedure is as follows:
>The solution has to be shaken and gently heated before use. We carry the
250ml flexible plastic bottle between two hot water bottles in an insulated
bag to the apiary and exchange the screwed-on lid for a slightly bow-shaped
and pointed application tube.
>
>The tube is inserted with its 4cm long pointed tip between the frames,
which are inhabited by bees. Applying a slight pressure on the container,
the tube is guided along all gaps within the cluster. The distribution of
the solution is done by the bees. Because there is no evaporation, the
treatment is not dependent on the temperature.
>
>The mites start dropping immediately, but a peak is reached after 48 hours.
Normally the visible effects (mites on the insert) last for a week.
>
>The most important time for treatment is in winter, because no brood is
present. You will find only adult mites on the insert after the treatment.
>
>If necessary - you will know, if you constantly monitor the inserts - you
can treat also in late summer after the honey harvest. This time three
applications have to be given with intervals of one week between them,
because the bees and the mites are still breeding. After the second
application you will find a substantial number of young, still transparent
mites on the insert.
>
>Scientific tests have shown a efficacy of up to 99%.
>
>