Varroa mite infestation of insects causes significant damage to beekeeping. By treating bees with oxalic acid, it is possible to prevent the spread of the disease. The product is an environmentally friendly product, does not harm insects and does not reduce the quality of beekeeping products. Advantages of the product: speed of action, low labor costs, ease of preparation of the working solution.
What is oxalic acid?
The substance belongs to strong organic acids.In beekeeping, the drug is used to protect insects from mites. 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.
In what cases is it 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 has benefits and harms. Advantages of the powder: harmlessness to beneficial insects, ease of use, effectiveness of use. The main harm is toxicity to humans.
Acid for bee care is used several times during the season. In summer, the hive is treated with the drug after pumping out honey, before feeding begins. Before the onset of autumn frosts, bee colonies are also treated in the fall after the bees emerge from the brood.
Preparation
The treatment 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. Stages of creating a solution:
- a liter of water is heated to 30 ° C;
- 20 g of powder is dissolved in 200 g of water;
- the concentrated solution is poured into the remaining water and stirred thoroughly.
To ensure that the drug sticks well to the bees, it is recommended to add a small portion of granulated sugar to the liquid.
Rules of application
When preparing the solution and using it, it is important to follow the manufacturers' recommendations. 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. Steam can be used for preventive purposes. Processing using the Swedish method is popular among beekeepers.
Spraying
It is recommended to treat insects using an aerosol spray. The procedure is carried out 3-4 times per season. To spray a honeycomb with bees, 10-15 ml of liquid (2% concentration) is enough. Features of the procedure:
- the hundred frame is sprayed on both sides;
- the sprayer is kept at a distance of 35-40 cm from the frame, the jet is directed at an angle of 40-45 degrees;
- the uterus is pre-isolated.
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 attach a rubber hose to the other side). A 2% solution of oxalic acid is used as a working fluid. Processing stages:
- prepare an acid solution;
- the copper bar is calcined on fire;
- 10 ml of solution is drawn into the syringe, which is released into the blank.
It is recommended to gradually pump acid vapor into the hive.
Smoke cannon
To effectively combat bee varroa, you can use a special device - a sublimator.The operating principle of the device is based on the evaporation of a solution. Workflow sequence:
- the gas burner is inserted into the fumigator;
- tighten the burner fixing screw;
- light the burner and warm up the fumigator for a minute;
- The nozzle is inserted into the hive entrance, and powder is poured into the fumigator.
To treat one hive, 3 g of oxalic acid is enough. The evaporation of the drug lasts 30-40 seconds. Insects are treated again after 7-8 days. The effectiveness of the procedure is 90%. It is recommended to use the sublimator at an air temperature no higher than + 24° C. Periodically, the nozzle is cleaned of product crystals.
Smoker
Efficiency in the fight against varroatosis of bees is also evident when using a smoke gun. In specialized stores you can purchase the “Varomor” device for fumigating insects. Advantages of the method:
- Due to the evaporation of oxalic acid vapor, the bees become irritated and begin to move around intensively. Thanks 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 working solution: 15 g oxalic acid, 100 g ethyl alcohol 96%, 10 g 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 resulting preparation is sufficient to treat 25 bee colonies. The product should not be used in the fall or when the temperature drops below 15° C.
Security measures
When working with oxalic acid, use personal protective equipment (respirator, rubber gloves and shoes, safety glasses, special clothing). During work, it is prohibited to remove protective equipment, drink, smoke, or eat food.At the end of the work, take off the overalls, wash your hands with soapy water. If the solution gets on the skin, wash the affected area of the body with clean water.
Oxalic acid is a popular means of combating Varroa mites. To use the product, you can use special devices or simply spray insects; no special skills are required for this.
