acetic acid

[darren64]

Is there an alternative to acetic acid for sterilising frames and comb?

 

[Finman]

.
No.

It depends what and why you are doing.

 

[mbc]

Is there an alternative to acetic acid for sterilising frames and comb?

bleach

 

[Hivemaker.]

If the combs are empty, formalin could be used,or even Gamma irradiation.

 

[gavin]

Or hot caustic soda and a deal of remoulding the resulting waxy mess ....

 

[Finman]

.
But what was the Darren's idea to do? Whatwas the problem?

gimme an answer, I arrange a problem

 

[For want of a better word]

bleach

Tell us more..... concentration etc
Use a product called LYSOL many moons ago when I was taking my finals in Bacteriology... stunk horrible!
Dare say Dr S still steeps his boots in it !

 

[xgeordie]

0.5% hypochlorite for 20 mins.

Or try a sulphur burner - its easier.

 

[chrismcd]

Formalin is quoted on the Fumidil B label before acetic acid for disinfection of Nosema contaminated frames - not that many people seem to bother to read labels!

http://website.lineone.net/~dave.cushman/fumidilb.html

Formalin is still one of the most widely used disinfectants and can be bought from most animal health shops (usually in 25l containers dammit).

In both human and veterinary practice it is often the product of choice when trying to kill resistant spores on an organic substrate - which would nicely describe nosema spores in bee faeces on wood.

Mind you, it is not recommended when the frames have pollen or honey that you want to feed back to the bees!

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Tell us more..... concentration etc
Use a product called LYSOL many moons ago when I was taking my finals in Bacteriology... stunk horrible!
Dare say Dr S still steeps his boots in it !

or dabs it behind his ears

 

[Poly Hive]

Running on memory here so may be well off.

Fumidil is for feeding to bees in syrup.

Acetic acid of the glacial 80% is for fumigating boxes and combs which are potentially contaminated.

I have never used Acetic on bees nor fumidal in syrup on combs though I have used extensively both respectively if that makes sense as I intend?

Look for a local chem supplier and they most likely have Acetic on the shelf. It is not uncommon.

PH

 

[winmag270]

good chance it'll corrode the frame nails as well......

 

[oliver90owner]

I reckon ethanoic acid is far better than acetic. I'll go away again, now!!!