Hello All,
Interesting comments. My advice is for a legal approved method with no
residual effects.

Starting fluid has residual effects I have been told by my local auto parts
store.

halon fire extinguishers might have residual effects and might not. I always
like Allen's input. Might be an excellent solution!  My small halon cost
over a $100 and gives about 9 bursts I have been told. Maybe with a hive you
could get three times as many short bursts. Halon pulls the oxygen out of
the air and would kill but would the effects last *long enough* to kill the
whole hive. Never used in a small closed room! I like the Halon answer and
might check further about residual effects.

Sulfur certainly  was the method of choice a hundred years ago. I believe
there are better choices.Sulfur use is outlined in all the old bee books
along with the cautions.

Langstroth on Sulfur  use from his famous book:
"Bi-sulfide of carbon is an evaporating explosive substance ,which must be
handled with care,but its evaporation within a closed box is sufficient to
kill all living insects. A tablespoon is enough for a hive."(pg.499)
Residual effects was a main reason for the dropping
of its use by beekeepers on supers. Not sue about hive body comb.

Dry ice is expensive and hard to find in our area.

Requeen and wait 6-8 weeks as Scot suggests is an answer those commercial
beekeepers which have dealt with AHb would not consider. Bad idea but many
need to see for themselves.

What's legal in the U.S.

1. paradichlorobenzene
2. Phosdin gas

Both kill insects without a residue.Can be detected with a mass spec but
very low residue is allowed in U.S.

Resmethrin

Can be bought from some bee supply houses and does not leave a residual
effect *I have been told*. Was used by the bee inspector in the post. A can
is around $20 but lasts awhile. In some states (Missouri & Kansas) can only
be bought by those with a pesticide applicators license.

*2 cups* soap in 5 gal. water.:
What a mess to clean up. That's a lot of really soapy water! Would not be my
choice! How many gallon of water would it take to remove the soap residue?

For the hobby U.S. beekeeper I would wait until all the bees were in the
hive, smoke and lift the lid and place para crystals on top. Close the
entrance. Come back the next day and pick up the crystals which are left and
return to the can for reuse. Shake out the dead bees . Let the equipment air
out and then reuse! If you add a rim at the top the bees will be drawn to
the top and the crystal   box. Strange what the bees do but you will find
the whole hive in the box of crystals if the top cardboard box within an MT
super is big enough.

I use the above method and has worked every time and is legal use in U.S..

Phosdin gas is faster and only takes a short burst but I have never seen
used to kill hives but a U.S. legal method. Used for large containers like I
use 40ft..  I prefer the crystals myself. Others use phosdin.

Resmethrin is the easiest method but only legal in Missouri if you have got
a pesticide license. I have been told leaves no residue but there is no
tolerance for resmethrin in honey which is something worth considering.

20-30 years ago arsenic crystals were sold by bee supply house (never
approved) and used to kill hives with AFB. Sulfur is used on supers today
for storage in many third world countries.

Sincerely,
Bob Harrison

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