I've had an idea -- Varroa

[Finman]

treating Varroa Naturally with Rhubarb Leaves Maciej and Ann Winiarski Poland[/COLOR][/I][/B]
!!

Yeghes da

IT is better than do nothing. To try is a good idea. Mistakes teach
.

.

 

[pargyle]

IT is better than do nothing. To try is a good idea. Mistakes teach

.

Finnie - You keep using the phrase 'Do Nothing' and completely ignore the fact that those of us who do not treat their bees for varroa probably spend more time observing their bees and their condition than you do. Your hives, you say, are many miles away from your home so you are not able to observe them on a daily basis - so as a 'rarely go to look at them' beekeeper I understand your need to douse them with chemicals as it's the only way you can hope to keep your colonies alive. Indeed, from many of your previous posts - even this doesn't work as you tell us your bees die. Mine don't !

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Simple to roll 6 box hive and 2 boxes of brood?

You should do it before you kill most of your Queens and combine into one pretend giant colony


Sent from my SM-A310F using Tapatalk

 

[Finman]

You should do it before you kill most of your Queens and combine into one pretend giant colony


Sent from my SM-A310F using Tapatalk

Today forum is full of tapatalk ideas.. Made in...

.

 

[ShinySideUp]

however since using Generic OA is now banned as not approved by the VMD in the UK, I shall experiment with Rhubarb leaves and Vimto trickle... on the yellow stripy bees... the Cornish Native Black bees do not have a varroa problem.

Yeghes da

Forgive me my ignorance, are you saying that one can't get oxalic acid in the UK anymore or is it that it must come from a particular source and is more expensive?

Regarding the second phrase...so why are we generally not using Cornish Black Bees over AMM?

 

[For want of a better word]

Forgive me my ignorance, are you saying that one can't get oxalic acid in the UK anymore or is it that it must come from a particular source and is more expensive?

Regarding the second phrase...so why are we generally not using Cornish Black Bees over AMM?

I have been lead to believe that there is but one approved product for the use on bees that contains Oxalic Acid... it goes by the name of Apibioxall? Licencing of this product destroyed competition that also used oxalic acid in their formulations ( Hiveclean etc)
A small sachet of the product contains a minuscule amount of Oxalic acid and glucose in a powder form.
For the same price it is possible to obtain about 1/2 kilo of generic oxalic IF you have a legitimate professional use for it ( ie Boat builder / paint stripper / furniture restorer)

Cornish black bees are Apis mellifera mellifera, but a sub species of the main group that have adapted to the conditions found here in Cornwall... Colonsay, Isle of Man, Northern England and the Irish isles each have there own equally well adapted sub species.. they are all lumped together as
Amm

Other parts of the country beekeepers have to a varying degree replaced the native bee with imports from Europe... A m carnica / A m ligustica etc etc and a variety of hybrids between them... that can and do survive in an environment that is alien to them!

Yeghes da

 

[ShinySideUp]

I don't know if it's the same stuff and obviously it will need care in application but I've found generic oxalic acid 1 kg for £9.50 plus postage from AG Woodcare -- http://www.agwoodcare.co.uk/products/oxalicacid/

Would this do the job?

 

[pargyle]

I don't know if it's the same stuff and obviously it will need care in application but I've found generic oxalic acid 1 kg for £9.50 plus postage from AG Woodcare -- http://www.agwoodcare.co.uk/products/oxalicacid/

Would this do the job?

Yes ... but the problem is that the only OA product now licensed by the VMD (Veteriary Medicine Directorate) is a product called Api-Bioxal - so, if you treat your bees with generic pure Oxalic Acid then you are breaking the law as bees are classed as Livestock. The issue with Api-Bioxal is that it is a) expensive compared to generic OA b) it is OA in a sugar solution base that was not really intended for sublimation - so it will leave a burnt sugary resdue in the pan when it is heated. In order to become VMD licenced companies making the product have to pay a significant sum for 'testing' before it is approved - which is why you will find that a number of smaller companies that sell 'bee medecines' are no longer able to offer their products in the UK as the cost of licensing is prohibitive when compared to the revenues from the sales.

So ... if you decide to use the generic OA then just use it for cleaning the inside of the hives - obviously, the easiest way to do this is by sublimating the product - and sometimes, of course, it is more convenient to 'clean' the inside of the hive whilst the bees are still in residence.

 

[ShinySideUp]

So ... if you decide to use the generic OA then just use it for cleaning the inside of the hives - obviously, the easiest way to do this is by sublimating the product - and sometimes, of course, it is more convenient to 'clean' the inside of the hive whilst the bees are still in residence.

But of course, it wouldn't do to upset Big Pharma.

 

[pargyle]

But of course, it wouldn't do to upset Big Pharma.

I don't know ... It's made by an Italian company - Chemicals Laif who make a number of beekeeping products. Not sure if they are independent or owned by a conglomerate - someone on here will know. It's all wrong that OA in it's generic form cannot be licenced ...

 

[For want of a better word]

I don't know if it's the same stuff and obviously it will need care in application but I've found generic oxalic acid 1 kg for £9.50 plus postage from AG Woodcare -- http://www.agwoodcare.co.uk/products/oxalicacid/

Would this do the job?

Perish the thought that any beekeeper would even envisage breaking the laws of this land by purchasing and using such harsh chemicals on food producing stock.
Much better to encompass natural beekeeping and place a large Rhubarb leaf on the qx if you use one or atop the frames in the brood box if you do not!

Myttin da

 

[Tremyfro]

Last year our rhubarb had ready perforated leaves...so no need for a QE. Isn't nature great?

 

[For want of a better word]

Last year our rhubarb had ready perforated leaves...so no need for a QE. Isn't nature great?

Brilliant!

Yeghes da

 

[ShinySideUp]

OK, I'm not sure if I'm being had here but rhubarb leaves, really? The trouble is it sounds so feasible.

Oh dear, starting this hobby is fraught with problems it seems.

 

[charlievictorbravo]

OK, I'm not sure if I'm being had here but rhubarb leaves, really? The trouble is it sounds so feasible.

Oh dear, starting this hobby is fraught with problems it seems.

No, I don't think it's a leg pull - see this link - http://www.beespace.me/rhubarb-bees-and-varroa

I'll be seeing Icanhopit next Monday at the Kit Hill group's monthly meeting, so I'll ask him if he's going to trial it.

CVB

 

[Finman]

.
So rhubard's oxalic acid gasifies itself in the hive. ..... So. Keep it simple.
.