Unopened pemixed oxalic for drizzle How Long Will It Last?

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plain oxalic acid crystals are stable.


If the premixed has sugar solution in it, then storage details here:
www bbka org uk/files/library/oxalic_acid_cleaning_b13_1306864801.pdf

(you'll have to add the dots to the URL)
 
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Throw away the premixed stuff buy oxalic crystals and a jeweller's scale and mix as and when required (probably a lot cheaper in the long run

Is that good advice for a beginner? Surely a beginner doesnt want to risk gettjng the mix wrong & killing their bees. Why not buy the premixed oxalic & keep it in the fridge, surely it will last a couple of months? I was told if it starts to go yellow bin it, if clear it is ok is that right?
 
Don't store oxalic syrup.

The crystals are cheap to buy, and store indefinitely.


A "pocket scale" is very cheap nowadays (check eBay) and (using a cleaned yoghurt pot as a scale pan) ideal for weighing out small quantities with excellent accuracy.




Thorne's "Trickle2" bottles are worth washing out and keeping for refilling with your own mix. A simple, cheap and fairly convenient way of giving the measured dose.
 
All very well saying buy pre-mixed if you're prepared to pay ten times the cost for someone else to mix it for you, but some of us don't consider bee-keeping to be a "money no object" hobby.

The question was about shelf-life, explaining how to avoid shelf-life issues is a valid answer.
Selecting only the options which you deem to be within the minimum capability of a questioner seems to me to be rather condescending.

Tell us, exactly how complicated is mixing oxalic solution?
 
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Thanks to all. I was aware that I could mix my own, I'd found the recipe using the search function. I do have scales that will measure from 1 gram.
I only asked, as this Spring I will need only 50ml that I can buy premixed on *bay for £2.99.


Just trying to save a shilling.
 
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Is that good advice for a beginner? Surely a beginner doesnt want to risk gettjng the mix wrong & killing their bees. Why not buy the premixed oxalic & keep it in the fridge, surely it will last a couple of months? I was told if it starts to go yellow bin it, if clear it is ok is that right?

It's as easy as making morning tea. I did it as a newbie. No problems.
 
can I ask why you ae using OA in the spring (or is this for your swarm scenario)

Yes, I'm hoping to start this season with a swarm. As their health would be an unknown factor, & there will be no brood, I thought an Oxalic treatment would be a fairly good start.
Is this wrong?
 
Thanks to all. I was aware that I could mix my own, I'd found the recipe using the search function. I do have scales that will measure from 1 gram.
I only asked, as this Spring I will need only 50ml that I can buy premixed on *bay for £2.99.


Just trying to save a shilling.

1 whole gram sensitivity should be fine for mixing a litre or so of oxalic syrup.

However, for a single swarm you are only going to need about 1/20th of that quantity of syrup.

For making up smaller quantities (say 1/10 of the standard 1kg + 1 litre recipe quantity) you need a scale that can accurately measure to about 1/10 gram.
Hence my pocket scale suggestion.
For about a fiver you can get a scale that has a sensitivity of 1/100 gram or better, and which you could easily trust to 1/10 gram or so.

By being able to mix smaller batches (using less sugar too) you should quickly recoup the cost of the scale.
And anyway, such scales do have other (legitimate) uses - postage for one.
 
can I ask why you ae using OA in the spring (or is this for your swarm scenario)

Yes, I'm hoping to start this season with a swarm. As their health would be an unknown factor, & there will be no brood, I thought an Oxalic treatment would be a fairly good start.
Is this wrong?

Good question, just started building a couple of bait hives myself ready to try and replace a winter loss. My first time as well, spent a small fortune last year setting up, so more prudent this....

Good luck! First to catch a swam eh??
BBD
 

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