> 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/ :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::