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Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology

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From:
Bill Truesdell <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Thu, 13 Dec 2007 13:40:49 -0500
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It seems a bit counterintuitive to feed both an acid (acetic acid) and a 
base (bleach- sodium hypochlorite) since you will get a chemical 
reaction and end up not getting the benefit expected. What probably will 
happen is the ph of the bleach will overpower the weak acid and you will 
end up with an alkaline solution, so it would have been better feeding 
the bleach solution alone.

The paper Medhat cited is interesting since it confirms another guess 
that just adding acid to the bees gut will make little difference since 
their food, honey, is  acidic.

But it would be interesting to see what would happen if a base were 
added to neutralize the acid. Pollen seems to be a Nosema control, and 
some pollens are better than others. It might be that some pollen is 
more alkaline and lead to an less hospitable environment for Nosema. 
Lots of guesses.

Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine

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