Ramona wondered: ' if the waxy coating on the bees is deteriorated by acids
(formic/oxalic) thus providing a way in for pathogens and/or a way out for
moisture, compromising the bees'.

Dribbling oxalic acid is said to leave the bees coated with a fine powder so
abrasive that it wears away the mouthparts of varroa mites. The UK National
Bee Unit says that some types of virus are transmitted in winter when the
closely clustered bees rub off body hairs from each other, and virus enters
the wound.  So it must be possible that oxalic acid could REDUCE
transmission by mites but INCREASE transmission through wounds.

Robin Dartington 

  

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