Two good points raised by Peter and Scott.

- Think broadly and look at the big picture:

        Treatment does not mean at all times that  you already eliminated the potential of mites killed the bees:

        - treatment might be too late and mites already caused their damage.

        - bee population was too small for wintering.

        - queenless,

        - too many factors to consider can cause bee kil.

        - Monitoring earlier would have provided more info about potential causes and colony survivorship.



Scott mentioned a point regarding even distribution between dribbling of oxalic acid in sugar syrup and or sublimation of oxalic acid Gas inside the hive. we know the bees are moving most of the time in the cluster. Many factors such as temperature will determine how much of movement. The idea of the difference between dribbling/ drenching and sublimation is to show the difference between distribution of oxalic in sugar syrup as a liquid in shower  and applying gas/ fumigation inside the hive. Which one will provide even distribution/ exposure? Please Keep in mid the volume of recommended applied oxalic acid in sugar syrup and the method of application. Some methods will apply large droplets other applies small ones. We have seen guys use measured volume applicators and others use garden sprayers. This makes a big difference of how much applied and how much bees exposed to oxalic acid. These are factors must be considered in terms of measuring damages to bees/brood and even efficacy.



This is food for thought when we apply oxalic acid to control Varroa mites.



Medhat Nasr



Edmonton Alberta Canada

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