>> Bee Quick wrote: "acetic acid ranks right up there". He's right, y'know.
>
> If you think taking the proper precautions for handling are too risky then 
> or course both of you should not consider acetic acid fumigation of comb.
>
> Acetic acid fumigation of bee comb is common practice in many parts of the 
> world (without problems I might add) and was recommended by the USDA -ARS 
> at the national meeting for *freshening* up old  comb.
>
> If Bee Quick had taken the time to go back to the start and read all the 
> posts he would have seen that the recommended dose for use in the U.K. is 
> 150 ml for a langstroth box. Yes a single box.
>
> Also the the beekeepers in Chile have found they can use 200ml and treat 
> up to 8 boxes. The USDA-ARS said 150ml will treat up to 5 deeps.
>
> A hobby beekeeper might need to treat a single box which was why I said 
> what I did.
>
> The Shiminuki recommended method set a time limit when the new USDA-ARS 
> recommendation says to keep on until the acetic acid is gone. Which is why 
> I said *if* you need to reuse your boxes quicker then perhaps the 
> Shiminuki method might be better as you simply treat for a certain period 
> of time.
>
> I on the other hand would need to treat a pallet of comb. In fact the 
> 200ml for 8 might work better for me or some variation as I stack 6 deeps 
> high and six stacks to a pallet or 36 deeps to a pallet.
>
> Also kids can go to Wal Mart and buy a battery for their mini bike but 
> have to install the acid had home. Most use no protection but battery acid 
> is as big a problem as acetic acid as far as getting in eyes or on skin. 
> Properly handled adult beekeepers should not have a problem with acetic 
> acid or formic acid.
>
> bob 

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