Oxalic, when and how?

[Hivemaker.]

Trickling has been used about 10 years, Is is only medication which can be used in the middle of winter.

No it is not.

 

[Hivemaker.]

Question please - do you think sublimation might be a gentler method of application of OA?

Yes, definately, plus it can be used multiple times if needed.

 

[Goran]

Goran; why do you have an upper temperature limit?

As I learned and work that way, bees are in tight cluster and better contact between them, and higher efficiency of oxalic. If higher temps, bees will loose, or flying out for a cleansing flight. Even oxalic by itself has prolongued effect ( if I recall right 40 days - but won't stand up that claim)..
But to have that prolongued effect bee has to have contact with oxalic..

Sorry I didn't answered earlier. Been too busy..

 

[Goran]

When mentioning trickling or sublimation, I learned trickling and apply oxalic that way. If I started with sublimation, I presume will continue with sublimation. As I read some researches both ways are with high efficiency of varroa kill. My point is no matter which way ( both of great efficiency), just to get varroa of bees back.

Next step for me is not to use oxalic at all next winter ( but that is some other story and questionable)

 

[Hivemaker.]

Next step for me is not to use oxalic at all next winter

Last time i used it in winter was six years ago.

 

[Finman]

Next step for me is not to use oxalic at all next winter ( but that is some other story and questionable)

And what idea is in that?

Trickling is very easy.
.

 

[Hawklord]

Yes, definately, plus it can be used multiple times if needed.

Can you tell us why and what you do use against varroa?

 

[Hivemaker.]

Thymol, oxalic, formic, because i find these treatments effective.

 

[Hawklord]

Thymol, oxalic, formic, because i find these treatments effective.

When do you use these? Thymol in winter feed?

 

[Hivemaker.]

Anytime they are needed through the active season, but mainly late summer, early autumn, the bees help, as many are broodless at this time, so shorter treatments needed. I only use formic in colonies that are being re queened.
Thymol ect, is used only in autumn fed syrup as a nosema preventative, also to prevent fermentation as i tend to feed bees late.

 

[Hawklord]

My bees always seem to have brood in October. I haven't tried the formic yet but I do use the thymolated syrup. The only problem with trickling is the timing probably due to climate change.

 

[Hawklord]

Has anybody treated with oxalic yet? If not when do you think you will?

 

[TryingToLetThemBee]

Has anybody treated with oxalic yet? If not when do you think you will?

I have. Looks to have had excellent results, with most of the estimated hive mite population now dead, rather than hiding in brood.

 

[Finman]

most of the estimated hive mite population now dead, .

Ready to worst and wait for best

.

 

[TryingToLetThemBee]

Ready to worst and wait for best

.

That's all we can ever do... And it's why I have a nuc on order...

And let me rephrase. I have as many mites on the board (500-ish) as I was estimating I had in the hive, but as Finman points out, that's really not telling me much...

 

[herefordshirehoney]

My Oxalic Acid dihydrate arrived from eb*y so going to make up a batch the weekend based on recipe finman posted recently.

Last year it was very clear and I applied it on Winter Solstice as it was a fine day. However, when I checked on my bees a few weekends they where bringing in pollen still. Although I've not been in the hive's for a good month id say there's still some brood.

With the forecast at the moment (checked on accuweather) it's not looking at improving just very mild, so when would you apply it? My current thoughts would be just after Christmas.....

 

[itma]

My bees always seem to have brood in October. I haven't tried the formic yet but I do use the thymolated syrup. The only problem with trickling is the timing probably due to climate change.

Just to reiterate - thymolated syrup is nothing whatsoever to do with varroa.
The thymol stops the syrup fermenting or going mouldy.
Also, if emulsified into the syrup (so that the bees cannot avoid ingesting it, it MAY have an effect against the diseases known as Nosema.
I personally think it is extremely likely that thymol emulsified into syrup would work against Nosema (thymol is a powerful anti-fungal and Nosema is classified as fungus) but the evidence is 'anecdotal' so far (note that the BBKA Exam Board don't believe it).

Formic and Oxalic are used against the varroa mite.
So is Thymol.
But for use against varroa, the Thymol isn't mixed into syrup.

 

[Hivemaker.]

(note that the BBKA Exam Board don't believe it).

Do you know of any research they have carried out?

 

[itma]

Do you know of any research they have carried out?

The Exam Board don't *do* research, they just discount it!

What hard concrete scientific evidence is there that thymolised syrup prevents, controls or treats Nosema? Most of the stuff reported is anedocal and some of the research on this topic questionable. Topic has been reviewed by Randy Oliver.
http://scientificbeekeeping.com/the-nosema-twins-part-5-alternative-treatments/

-- Gerry Collins

BBKA Examinations Board Chairman is Gerry Collins NDB

It is perhaps worth noting that the linked article makes clear that Nosema is new to Mr Oliver, as is the idea of thymolating syrup.
He saw no benefit from 1x Manley concentration, and plainly has not (at the time of writing) encountered the idea of emulsification to get the thymol into the bee's gut, where the Nosema would be.

 

[Hivemaker.]

The Exam Board don't *do* research, they just discount it!

Then they should do some research, not just guess, or think something does not work.

There is research..http://scialert.net/qredirect.php?doi=pjbs.2005.1142.1145&linkid=pdf.

Quite a lot of links on the forum to other research papers as well.