Sorry, Jonathan, I'm no chemist.  I can only quote what's in the Thornes
catalogue.

"When ignited the strips give off Sulphur Dioxide which is heavier than
air and sinks though the pile of supers and frames....."

"Sulphur Dioxide is one of the most effective methods of controlling wax
moth.  Sulphur Dioxide .....is highly volatile, not fat soluble and
there poses very little risk to bees, wax and honey.  It is used
extensively in the wine industry for fumigating wine barrels and vats".

They go on to say that this method of Wax Moth control has been used on
Continental Europe for many years.  So whether there are any
"Continental European Bee-L ers" with experience of Sulphur Strips who
wish to comment?

I think quite recently in the UK, at least, there has come a raft of new
legislation about the use chemicals(I understand a lot of weed killers
etc that have been used domestically for years have been taken off the
market because of it).  The Health and Safety Executive have apparently
informed Thornes that the use of PDB crystals for fumigation purposes is
illegal, so I suspect that the two issues are connected.

I assume that all beekeeping suppliers in the UK will follow Thornes'
lead and I suppose from a legal viewpoint they'd be unwise not to.

Which, of course will mean we(in the UK) will have no choice but to use
a method other than PDB whether we like it or not.

Regards

Tony

===========================


What is the effectiveness of Sulfur, and does it not leave a residue as
well?

Jonathan B. Kriebel
Das Sauen Őhr Farm
3229 Zepp Rd.
Green Lane, PA 18054-2357
Telephone:  (610) 864-8581
Facsimile:    (215) 234-8573
[log in to unmask]

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