>>I have never in 5 years had a harsh chemical in my hives. Last year I began with O/A.  <...> Honk if you never used Apistan or Checkmite.

I started with bees in 2001 and I saw varroa on the bees in my first package within a couple of days after installation...  I made and installed screen bottom boards right away and watched more varroa drop as the bee populations grew.  I've never used Apistan or Checkmite fearing honey contamination.  I saw my first DWS bees in 2003.  The colonies still produced a nice spring crop in 2004 but started seriously declining by August of that year.

I read about the Swiss and other OA studies and, since it does not leave residues in wax or honey in which it naturally occurs in minute amounts, I used it on my bees in December 2004.  I have not had DWS bees since and the bees look really healthy.  I am starting to see some varroa only now (Aug. 2005) and I am planning to apply OA when the bees are broodless again.

There are finally efforts now underway in the US to register formic and oxalic acids for varroa treatment.  Until a reliably resistant bee emerges, I believe the OA is the optimal approach. I have yet to hear/read about any risks to honey (number 1) and, if one is precise in the application, there should be no harm to the bees (number 2).

I bought a 12-oz. container of Wood Bleach Oxalic Acid at a local BEST hardware store for $4.99 (plus tax) since Home Depot did not have it.  It's by DAP, Inc.  I talked to a product specialist at DAP and he assured me the product contains only oxalic acid crystals and nothing else is added.  I also received an MSDS (material safety and data sheet) from DAP.  The product is to be handled with care (as most cleaners used by Maintenance depts everywhere).

The MSDS does say that CHRONIC OVEREXPOSURE is a hazard to the central nervous system, cardiovascular system, kidneys as would be the case with most cleaning agents or acids in general.  It's common sense.  Beekeepers should not be subjecting themselves to CHRONIC OVEREXPOSURE unless purposefully trying to harm themselves.

Inhalation of OA vapors or dust 'may cause severe irritation and burns to the nose, throat and respiratory tract' and, for this reason, I prefer to dribble the liquid solution over vaporizing.  It's also a cheaper set-up.

Waldemar
Long Island, NY

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