Tissue/paper kitchen towel is good too, more universal than Oasis and less likely to get string between the teeth than using tampons . . .
I have found that four sheets holds one dose of thymol, so take two sheets folded at the perforation, and fold into two again in the same direction, before folding into three.
Sheet size 190mm x 190mm. final wad size approx 95mm x 70mm. Two wads to a dose. When I apply them to the top bars, I open out the triflolds so that each wad is 95mm x 190mm.
I find that a total oil thymol load of just under 1 litre is an ideal unit size as it will fit the wads on end in a 10lb honey bucket. Lid diameter 190mm, depth 140mm. I use a cheap 1 litre stainless steel thermos flask to dissolve the appropriate amount of thymol in hot oil and then pour over the packed wads in the bucket, shut the lid and leave them for a wee before use. I normally bag them up into convenient packages and store in another bucket which I turn upside down from time to time.
Two wads to a a dose, three dozes to a colony. Half a dose for nucs. The total thymol weight of the three doses is the same as that contained in two Apiguard doses.
The bees variously, ignore it, eat it, tear it and dispose of through the entrance, shred it into cellulose fibres or propolise it. Anything that might be left at the first spring inspection will be discarded. Each successive dose displaces the previous rememants outwards and the new dose is placed diagonally opposite the previous one.
If I have actually left anything out, other than the actual figures, let me know. It need not be too accurate, remember anythying less than 10% probably isn't too much to get excited about anyway.
So, that's how I do it.
I have a fair number of doses left from the autumn and as they are kept in a sealed bucket, I will be more than happy to use them next autumn or if required at any time prior to that.
Don't under estimate the time that it will take to fold up all those wads for a target 20 to 25 colonies. Buy in a big roll of kitchen roll, as you know that it will make sense. Show the kids how to do it and make it into a game. Kitchen roll isn't generally harmful to kids and they can chat away whilst mildly concentrating on something else. Just QA their work periodically so that it is all uniform.with folds all in the same directions so that it is very simple when you are eventually unfolding them in the field. Uniformity and a mild bit of conformance to standards in the workplace.
.
