I agree with the several astonished replies carried so far - this suggestion is
sheer lunacy, and obviously was proposed by someone with very little knowledge
of chemical safety. I would hope that hydrofluoric acid is a controlled
substance wherever the original writer lives.
 
 -(With foodstuffs, ALWAYS err on the side of extreme caution with regard to
new additives - don't we have enough problems ?? - Do you really want to
attract the attention of the "food police" to YOUR operation ????)
 
 - John Edwards, former chem major, Safety Chairman for 6 years during the
1980s at the Tucson USDA Bee Lab complex
.
Peter Dalby wrote:
 
> One of the British Beekeepers magazines "Beecraft" has published a letter
> from a reader suggesting the use of hydrofluoric acid for fumigation of
> beehives to kill wax moth.
>
> I know it is a very dangerous compound to use and safety data sheets on the
> product bear this out.
>
> Does anybody have any comments on its effectiveness or specific dangers and
> risks to humans or to bees or bee products before I formulate a reply to
> this magazine?
>
> Thanks for any help.
>
> Peter Dalby, Chairman BBKA Technical Committee.