> I, and I think Randy also,  have been wondering just how much OA the bees
> and mites to get in the system  and how.  We from this and other reports do
> know the bees are ingesting some. Why? When we know they don’t like the
> taste and avoid it if possible. Does that level vary based on the solution
> concentration?  Or does the sugar level effect it more? Are they getting it
> from grooming or at some level is the sugar associated with it still
> palpable?
> Someone may correct me but I think this is still relatively unclear.
> Charles
>

Right.  Why is OA mixed with with sugar at all?  Why not just mix it with
water? It seems that if the bees aren't supposed to eat the OA and don't
need to for it to be effective, then it shouldn't be there.  Kinda like the
menthol cough drop craze for tracheal mites.  Maybe the sugar acts as a
sticker/carrier, but OA works as a vapor, no sugar there.  I'm not saying
go out and start using it off label, just wondering why we do what we do.
Cheers,
Kristina Williams
Boulder, CO

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