What happened to sulphur strips?

[jeff33]

All I can find are sulphur disks! I hate the bloody stuff, they don't stay lit, a real waste of time! I used to buy strips but they seem to have disappeared from the UK market. Anyone knows why?

 

[Newbeeneil]

All I can find are sulphur disks! I hate the bloody stuff, they don't stay lit, a real waste of time! I used to buy strips but they seem to have disappeared from the UK market. Anyone knows why?

I bought a bucket of “flowers of sulphur” (Sulphur powder) nice and cheap. I put a spoonful into a tea light tray and light it. Stays lit no problem!

 

[jeff33]

I bought a bucket of “flowers of sulphur” (Sulphur powder) nice and cheap. I put a spoonful into a tea light tray and light it. Stays lit no problem!

I might just smash this lot in small bits and do the same.

 

[pargyle]

I find lighting the discs with a blowtorch gets them going and they stay lit. You need to store them dry though... I keep mine in a coffee jar .. one of Douwe Egberts ones with a good sealing lid. If they get damp they do tend to go out.

 

[jeff33]

I find lighting the discs with a blowtorch gets them going and they stay lit. You need to store them dry though... I keep mine in a coffee jar .. one of Douwe Egberts ones with a good sealing lid. If they get damp they do tend to go out.

That will be why then, mine are in the shed!

 

[pargyle]

That will be why then, mine are in the shed!

I think they mix the sulphur in the discs with some sort of binding medium that absorbs moisture ... and that's what affects them. I'm not sure whether putting them on a tray in the oven on a low temperature might dry them out a bit and help ? Worth a try ... Sulphur melts at about 100 degrees C so there's no risk if you set the temp well below that.

 

[Gilberdyke John]

All I can find are sulphur disks! I hate the bloody stuff, they don't stay lit, a real waste of time! I used to buy strips but they seem to have disappeared from the UK market. Anyone knows why?

Sulphur powder is available from on line sources.
Why not accelerate the process? I had a Merit boys chemistry set which had a booklet describing mixing it with ground charcoal and potassium nitrate. The resultant mix burnt VERY rapidly.

 

[Poly Hive]

Last I read was sulphur was used to kill skep bees. So.............what are you guys using it for?

PH

 

[Swarm]

Last I read was sulphur was used to kill skep bees. So.............what are you guys using it for?

PH

Wax moth treatment in stored supers.

 

[Poly Hive]

Acetic acid works well for that.

PH

 

[jeff33]

Acetic acid works well for that.

PH

Yes, I used it the first couple of seasons but it takes a lot longer and it's also temperature sensitive for optimal application. Sulphur is done and dusted in 2-3h which is why I switched to this.

 

[Garry R]

With super frames stored in old freezers a silicone loaf tin half full of acetic acid in with the lot for several weeks does the business with no release of fumes due to the door seal. Close the door and forget about it, No faff of sealing super joints with tape.

 

[jeff33]

With super frames stored in old freezers a silicone loaf tin half full of acetic acid in with the lot for several weeks does the business with no release of fumes due to the door seal. Close the door and forget about it, No faff of sealing super joints with tape.

Yes but I have around 60 supers to deal with and no space for a spare chest freezer.

 

[Swarm]

Storage. The biggest problem with beekeeping.

 

[pargyle]

Storage. The biggest problem with beekeeping.

And hiding it ....