"Hive Guard" on ebay - comments?

[Tony M]

Spotted this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hive-Guar...128240?hash=item25d323caf0:g:C9UAAOSw4CFY4P3n
- apparently a formic acid / oxalic acid mix that vaporises slowly in the hive.

I can see how it might help - but (and I've asked this about other things) can it really be THIS straightforward?

Comments welcome.

Cheers,

Tony M

 

[Finman]

.
I cannot find from google that "hive guard" method.

In Ebay it is said"Hive Guard creates a unique disinfecting effect inside the hive .

Hive Guard is placed in the entrance of the hive , it releases a 'trickle charge' of Formic acid fumes that circulates around the hive makes the whole atmosphere far too uncomfortable for all insects except bees – who are immune to low levels of Formic acid as they themselves produce Formic acid in their bodies for the venom they use in their stings "

"a blend of Formic and Oxalic acid " ..............That does not work.

Sounds humbug to me.

I have not seen such method that oxalic acid and formic acid have been used at same time or together . ...During 15 years...

Formic acid works as gas and oxalic acid as contact. ..... Clear humbug by somebody.

 

[pargyle]

.
I cannot find from google that "hive guard" method.

In Ebay it is said"Hive Guard creates a unique disinfecting effect inside the hive .

Hive Guard is placed in the entrance of the hive , it releases a 'trickle charge' of Formic acid fumes that circulates around the hive makes the whole atmosphere far too uncomfortable for all insects except bees – who are immune to low levels of Formic acid as they themselves produce Formic acid in their bodies for the venom they use in their stings "

"a blend of Formic and Oxalic acid " ..............That does not work.

Sounds humbug to me.

I have not seen such method that oxalic acid and formic acid have been used at same time or together . ...During 15 years...

Formic acid works as gas and oxalic acid as contact. ..... Clear humbug by somebody.

Oh dear .. agreeing with you twice in the same day ... people will start to talk about us !

More importantly, I don't think I want my bees living in a constant atmosphere contaminated with formic or oxalic acids ... and what will it do to the honey they store ... I can imagine customer complaints about the honey tasting of acid ....

More untested, untried and uncertain snake oil sold on ebay ... someone will buy it - just not me !

 

[Hivemaker.]

- apparently a formic acid / oxalic acid mix

Where does it say anything about oxalic acid in the mix?

 

[Finman]

Where does it say anything about oxalic acid in the mix?

The text in lower part "a blend of Formic and Oxalic acid ".It was there but not any more.

 

[For want of a better word]

Where does it say anything about oxalic acid in the mix?

It does not...
wonder what the VMD make of it?

Will stick to the rhubarb leaves!

Yeghes da

 

[Millet]

Will it make the sting more potent..

 

[enrico]

Sounds better as a wax moth deterrent in stored hives.
E

 

[Finman]

.
The seller says that bees fan formic acid into the hive. But he does not know, that bees fan away from entrance. Cerana bees fan towards entrance.

.

 

[Beefriendly]

In other words you should save your money and not buy snake oil!

 

[Tony M]

Thanks, everyone, for the views.

The seller appears to have amended the description from what was there when I first saw it (as noted), removing the mention of oxalic acid altogether.

Part of my reservations stemmed from the apparently rather small surface from which to evaporate the stuff - considering the much larger surface areas discussed for treatments soaked into kitchen wipes, for example. There seems to be no suggestion of any successful trials or results - just rather general statements about how formic acid might be beneficial.

I like to keep an open mind for things that might help my bees - but I won't be providing a test facility!

Cheers,

Tony M

 

[madasafish]

The seller is at risk of prosecution selling an unlicensed medicine...

 

[Finman]

I like to keep an open mind for things that might help my bees - M

There is an ultra sound mite killer too for sale for open mind persons.
.

 

[Tony M]

There is an ultra sound mite killer too for sale for open mind persons.
.

Yes, I've seen those, too. Again, I suppose it might work, but (given the price) I won't be trying it.

It did prompt me to look into the cost of an ultrasonic transmitter, but I ran out of enthusiasm for the idea!

Tony

 

[MartinL]

. . . . . they themselves produce Formic acid in their bodies for the venom they use in their stings .

Always thought Bee venom had High PH?

 

[Finman]

I do not find formic acid from this

Honey bee venom main components wiki

The main component is melittin *) amounting to 52% of venom peptides.

Apamin increases cortisol production in the adrenal gland. Apamin is a mild neurotoxin.
Adolapin,[3] contributing 2–5% of the peptides, acts as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic because it blocks cyclooxygenase.
Phospholipase A2 amounts to 10–12% of peptides and it is the most destructive component of apitoxin. It is a phospholipase enzyme which degrades the phospholipids which cellular membranes are made of. It also causes decreased blood pressure and inhibits blood coagulation. Phospholipase A2 activates arachidonic acid which is metabolized in the cyclooxygenase-cycle to form prostaglandins. Prostaglandins regulate the body's inflammatory response.
Hyaluronidase contributing 1–3% of peptides dilates the capillaries causing the spread of inflammation.
Histamine contributing 0.5–2% and is involved in the allergic response.
Dopamine and noradrenaline which contribute 1–2% increase pulse rate.
Protease-inhibitors contribute 2% and act as anti-inflammatory agents and stop bleeding.
Tertiapin

*) Melittin is a protein which has residues from 26 aminoacids.
.

 

[Finman]

Always thought Bee venom had High PH?

its pH is 5-5.5