Varroa Treatments

[Buzzlodge]

Could I ask if anyone can post links to research into oxalic acid mode of action?

I had always considered it to be a fairly harsh chemical, acidic and harmful to humans through ingestion and skin contact. But in the apiary proven to be a very effective varroa control agent and highly selective, at concentrations that can "burn the legs off mites" the bees are largely unaffected.

This is a very desirable characteristic. The question how can we attack the virus / bacteria / parasite / cancer without harming the host is a recurring theme in health issues, bee health included. There could be important benefits in knowing more about how it works.

Cheers

https://pheromite.com/varroa-treatments-mode-action-resistance/

"There were some reports that oxalic acid may damage the mouthparts of the mite [35]. However, there is no scientific evidence for this and the origin of this concept seems to be a manipulated picture published on the Internet. What we do know is that oxalic acid needs to be in direct contact with the mite [36] and is distributed around the hive via bee-to-bee contact [37].

Given that oxalic acid has been shown to affect mitochondria in mammals [38] and that mitochondria are sensitive to acids [39], it is likely that oxalic acid, as in the case of formic acid, also affects the varroa mite by disrupting or affecting mitochondrial function due to the effects of low pH. This physico-chemical mode of action would explain why there have been no reports of mites resistant to oxalic acid."

 

[masterBK]

Since several organic acids have been shown to kill Varroa (formic, lactic, oxalic) I would suggest that it it is the result of low pH inactivating enzymes or other essential proteins by changing their 3 dimentional shape rather than some sort of corrosive action. But this is only a scientific guess.

 

[Millet]

Since several organic acids have been shown to kill Varroa (formic, lactic, oxalic) I would suggest that it it is the result of low pH inactivating enzymes or other essential proteins by changing their 3 dimentional shape rather than some sort of corrosive action. But this is only a scientific guess.

I don't really care about the science or research behind OA mix treatments..all i care about is that it works which i have witnessed with my own eye balls many times over the past years..

 

[Erichalfbee]

I don't really care about the science or research behind OA mix treatments..all i care about is that it works which i have witnessed with my own eye balls many times over the past years..

Yep!
And it doesn’t affect the bees