Processing bees with oxalic acid: methods and instructions for use, benefits and harms, rules

Varroa mite infestation causes significant damage to beekeeping. By treating bees with oxalic acid, it is possible to prevent the spread of the disease. The tool belongs to environmentally friendly products, does not harm insects and does not reduce the quality of beekeeping products. Product advantages: fast action, low labor costs, ease of preparation of the working solution.

What is oxalic acid?

The substance is a strong organic acid. In beekeeping, the drug is used to protect insects from ticks.The product is available in the form of a white or transparent powder. The crystals dissolve easily in water. The drug is sold in plastic containers weighing 200 g or packaged in plastic bags weighing 20 g.

The drug does not harm insects. When used, the taste and shade of honey do not change. However, the toxicity of the powder to humans must be taken into account.

When used

First of all, the product is used to protect bees from the Varroa mite. One of the most dangerous diseases of honey bees is varroatosis, which affects adults and pupae. Like any product, acid shows benefits and harms. Advantages of the powder: harmlessness to beneficial insects, ease of use, efficiency of application. The main harm is human toxicity.

Acid for the care of bees is used several times during the season. In summer, the hive is treated with the drug after pumping out honey, before feeding. Before the onset of autumn frosts, bee colonies are also processed in autumn after the bees leave the brood.

Preparation

Processing is carried out with an acid solution prepared the day before. It is not recommended to use liquid that has been stored for more than 48 hours. Prepare a solution based on boiled, bottled or distilled water. Mortar creation steps:

• a liter of water is heated to 30°C;
• 20g powder dissolved in 200g water;
• pour the concentrated solution into the remaining water and stir thoroughly.

In order for the preparation to stick well on the bees, it is recommended to add a small part of granulated sugar to the liquid.

Rules of application

When preparing the solution, using it is important to follow the recommendations of the manufacturers. There are several ways to treat varroatosis with oxalic acid. In case of severe infection, it is advisable to use an aqueous solution of the drug.For preventive purposes, steam can be used. The Swedish method is popular among beekeepers.

Spraying

It is recommended to treat insects with an aerosol sprayer. The procedure is carried out 3-4 times per season. For spraying a comb with bees, 10-15 ml of liquid (2% concentration) is enough. Features of the procedure:

• the honeycomb frame is sprayed on both sides;
• the sprayer is held at a distance of 35-40 cm from the frame, the jet is directed at an angle of 40-45 degrees;
• womb is pre-isolated.

When keeping insects in multi-hull hives, it is recommended to start processing from the lower housing. The optimal period for the first treatment is the spring flight of bees. With severe damage to insects by varroatosis, the procedure is carried out several times with an interval of 12-14 days. The efficiency of spraying bees with the solution is 80%.

Syringe treatment

To treat insects with steam, you can use a standard medical syringe, you also need to prepare a copper blank (solder a needle on one side, and a rubber hose on the other). A 2% solution of oxalic acid is used as a working fluid. Processing steps:

• prepare acid solution;
• a copper ingot is calcined on fire;
• 10 ml of solution is drawn into the syringe, which is released into a blank.

It is recommended to smoothly pump acid vapor into the hive.

Smoke Cannon

To effectively combat bee varroatosis, you can use a special device - a sublimator. The principle of operation of the device is based on the evaporation of the solution. Workflow sequence:

• gas burner inserted into fumigator;
• tighten the burner fixing screw;
• the burner is lit and the fumigator is warmed up for a minute;
• the nozzle is inserted into the entrance of the hive, the powder is poured into the fumigator.

3 g of oxalic acid is enough to treat one beehive. Evaporation of the drug lasts 30-40 seconds. Re-insects are treated after 7-8 days. The effectiveness of the procedure is 90%. It is recommended to use a sublimator at an air temperature not higher than + 24 ° C. Periodically, the nozzle is cleaned from crystals of the product.

Smoker

Efficiency in the fight against varroatosis of bees is also manifested when using a smoke gun. In specialized stores for fumigating insects, you can purchase the Varomor device. Method Benefits:

• due to the evaporation of oxalic acid vapors, the bees are irritated and begin to move intensively. Due to this, the effectiveness of the drug increases;
• ease of use;
• the ability to quickly process many hives in a short time.

Recommended dosage of the working solution: 15 g of oxalic acid, 100 g of ethyl alcohol 96%, 10 g of thymol. To prepare the product, the acid is dissolved in ethyl alcohol (heated in a water bath until the crystals are completely dissolved), thymol is added. The volume of the received preparation is enough for processing of 25 bee colonies. Do not use the product in autumn or when the temperature drops below 15 ° C.

Safety precautions

When working with oxalic acid, use personal protective equipment (respirator, rubber gloves and shoes, goggles, special clothing).In the process of work, it is forbidden to remove protective equipment, drink, smoke, eat food. At the end of the work, the overalls are removed, and they wash themselves with soapy water, wash their hands. In case of contact with the skin, the affected area of the body is washed with clean water.

Oxalic acid is one of the most popular treatments for the Varroa mite. To apply the product, you can use special tools or simply spray insects, this does not require special skills.

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