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Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology

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From:
Michael Palmer <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Thu, 7 Sep 2006 07:11:19 -0400
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>  I believe OA reduces the life span of adult bees but this is only my
>subjective observation.  I have no way of measuring this.


Perhaps this is so. In Randy's report, he states that multiple OA trickle 
treatments don't harm the bees. Others present conflicting reports, both 
positive and negative. Where it might do harm would be with the winter 
bees. Two years ago, I OA trickled my over wintering nucs. I killed nearly 
70% doing so. I don't think they had a cleansing flight afterward, so maybe 
that was the problem.

But, that's the trickle method. The vapor method is easier on the bees, and 
can be repeated. The vapor method can be used at anytime of the year, 
provided the temps are 3 -5 deg above freezing. For best control, treat 
colonies after they are broodless. Getting them to that point without 
crashing from PMS is the hard part. Colonies with a light mite load will 
make it, but not those with moderate or heavy mite load. Three vapor 
treatments, 7 days apart, will kill enough of the mite population to get 
the colony to the broodless period. A final treatment at that time will 
achieve 90+% kill.

See these sites:

http://www.mellifera.de/engl2.htm

http://www.members.shaw.ca/orioleln/Oxalic_Acid.htm

Talking with Heinz at the second site, he tells me that there is no damage 
to the open brood. I guess the first site has links to tests done in 
Switzerland, but they are in German. Waldemar, do you read German?

I'll be treating some colonies next week, and will check for brood damage 
in the week following treatment.
Mike







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