Mount Baker Beekeepers Association in NW Washington has had many recent discussions about the use of Oxalic Acid drench as a form of fall/winter mite treatment.  Since many of our members will be ordering package bees this spring,  I was wondering would it be advised to spray the bees with a 3.5-5% oxalic acid/1:1 sugar syrup,  before introducing them onto drawn frames.  Would removing the caged queen from the cluster before spraying be a sound idea.

Another option is the use of vaporized oxalic with the packages under an enclosed tarp.  

I keep bees in a very damp and chilly enviroment (normal NW Washington weather),  so Iwould like to give the bees a fighting chance.

Thanks,

Russell J. Deptuch
Bees Chice Honey
Ferndale,  Wa

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