Disclaimer:

This blog explains how I keep bees. It works for me, it might not work for you. Use my methods at your own risk. Always wear protective clothing and use a smoker when working bees.

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Monday, November 23, 2015

Oxalic Acid works

A beekeeper sent me a picture of his Oxalic Acid treatment.
He treated his colony with Miteaway Quick Strips (MAQS) in an early September treatment. Then in late October he treated with Oxalic Acid using the dribble method.
This is the picture of the mite drop that he had.
 After you treat with Oxalic Acid, it takes about a week to see all of the results.
Using this treatment program, this beekeepers hive should now have very low mite levels. His bees will be healthier and in much better shape to take on winter. A beekeeper has to remember that in late August - early Sept the hive must be treated with a miteacide. MAQS for example. Oxalic Acid only works on mites that are exposed on an adult bee. Oxalic Acid is not that effective when brood is in the hive. A colony in Minnesota/Wisconsin is usually broodless starting in late October into early February.
All the maroon specks are mostly mites   Photo by P. Riestenberg