On 27-Mar-07, at 7:45 AM, Dick Marron wrote:
>
> I was sublimating it. (Heating the powder) I've done this for years  
> now
> without incident and good mite drops. This system is not as  
> detrimental to
> the bees. I agree with the wrong time of year. I waited too late  
> expecting a
> fall crop. Had I been home I'd have treated in Aug. Bob Harrison  
> wrote on
> this list that if you don't clean them up in Aug, you are going to  
> lose
> bees. SO: clean them up in early spring, then 2x in Aug or so will  
> be my
> schedule. Any comments?

Hi Dick & all

My understanding of oxalic acid is that it cannot penetrate the cells  
to kill mites there.  Shortly after your treatment a new crop of  
mites will emerge.  This is why oxalic is used when there is no  
brood. Suggest you treat with formic acid in August followed up with  
an oxalic treatment in Nov or early Dec(weather permitting) when  
packing hives for winter.  I consider the Nov treatment to be the  
most effective spring treatment as you are knocking down most of the  
mites remaining.

Bob Darrell
Caledon Ontario
Canada
44N80W

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