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Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology

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From:
allen dick <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sun, 2 Nov 2003 06:10:35 -0700
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> Just read in "American Bee Journal" about Sucrose Octanoate.  I had
> heard of the control substance before but had not heard that it had
> passed the EPA clearances for use in mite control.  Anyone know of a
> source for use in our beekeeping industry.  I need to get enough for
> about twenty hives ASAP.

Last week, in B.C., I heard a talk on this topic by Jamie Strange, from WSU.
He has been doing work on sucrose octanoate ester and presented his results
to the group at the BCHPA.  He mentioned a supplier which can provide a
properly labeled product for bees -- AVA Chemical Ventures.  I have no
address.

From what I gather, SOE application requires spraying the surfaces of all
combs which are covered with bees at a time when little or no brood is
present.  That means taking out the frames, standing them on end, and using
a garden sprayer, which must be calibrated to apply the correct dose.  The
material, which apparently breaks down to sugar and fatty acids, is mixed in
at 0.25% in water.  The exact amount applied is not critical although,
reportedly, a mixture accidentally made at 2.5% resulted in bee kill.

The effectiveness, as I recall from my notes, seems to be around 65%.
Maybe I misunderstood, but the process seems awkward, very invasive, and
marginally effective.

I wonder if using SOE is any more efficacious than using powdered sugar?

allen
http://www.honeybeeworld.com/diary/

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