> On Aug 5, 2017, at 8:26 AM, Bill T <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>
> It all depends on what is happening between the OA and the mite and the
> persistence of the OA crystals in the hive.
I would imagine that because the mode of action is believed to be absorption through the tarsal pad of the mite that simply having OA crystals in the hive would not be enough. I would imagine that it really needs to be applied directly to the bees. Otherwise you could treat an empty box, install some bees and get good mite kill.
I think that the efficacy is going to be a function of number of treatments and the frequency of treatments killing the phoretic mites vs. the natural reproductive curve of the mites. I think that the persistence of OA crystals in the hive is going to be of secondary concern.
Am I wrong?
David Baker
To Bee or Not To Bee
Denver, CO USA
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