MYTH-BEE is an oxalic acid for bees which can be used to fight against bee varroosis. In recent years, one of the more popular treatments is the application of oxalic acid. This treatment is also favored by many beekeepers.
How does it work?
Truth be told, it's not entirely understood why oxalic acid is so effective in treating Varroa. But the most popular theory is that it enters the mite through its feet (yes, really!) and then moves into the bloodstream. From that point the mite is a goner! Meanwhile, bees don't have a particularly adverse reaction to the correct application of oxalic acid.
When we choose oxalic acid as a treatment, we're leveraging that handy little fact, for the benefit of our bees.
We should qualify the statement above somewhat. Any treatment applied indiscriminately can harm your bees and this is certainly true with oxalic acid. The approved use of oxalic acid in the hive - using the documented procedures and cautions - will be just fine. But don't deviate from that, since overuse can indeed be harmful to your bees.
When oxalic acid works - and when it doesn't
A large percentage of Varroa in the mid-summer hive do their damage under the protective cover of the capping on a cell. As well as sucking the life out of the larvae resident in the same cell, the female Varroa that entered the cell initially will reproduce. Eventually, a single cell will be home to many Varroa.
Oxalic acid is not effective against Varroa in capped brood. This, of course, has important implications for how and when it can be used.
During the summer only about 15 - 20% of Varroa are in the phoretic state, meaning they are roaming the hive or attached to bees. The remainder are in a capped cell - out of the reach of oxalic acid. Therefore, the summer is often considered a less-than-optimal time to apply oxalic acid, since only a small percentage of the Varroa in the hive are "reachable". But that doesn't mean it cannot still be an effective treatment, as we will see below.
Treating Varroa is basically a numbers game, which should inform your use of oxalic acid. At a high level, there are two approaches to how it is applied.
【PRODUCT NAME】Myth-Bee
【GENERIC NAME】Oxalic Acid Dihydrate Powder
【DESCRIPTION】Itis a transparent crystal or white powder.
【DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION】
A:Dosage and Method of Administration by Trickling
1.Wear a mask, gloves and goggles when opening the bottle.
2.Prepare an indicated amount of sucrose syrup (water and sucrose in a 1:1 (w/w) ratio) and mix until dissolved.
3.Dissolve oxalic acid dihydrate in syrup (sucrose syrup and oxalic acid dihydrate in a ratio of 500:21 (w/w)) and mix until dissolved.
4.Treatment should be made in a single administration. The required dose is 5 ml per frame of bees (space between the upper rails of frames). The product should be administered using a syringe, applying over the length of each frame.The maximum dose is 50 ml per hive, up to two treatments per year (winter and/or spring/summer).
B:Dosage and Method of Administration by Vaporization
1.Wear a mask, gloves and goggles when opening the bottle.
2.Use an electric resistance device for vaporization. Fill the tank with 2.3 g of the product. Place the device at the entrance of the hive under the bees, avoiding contact with honeycombs. Close the entrance to prevent smoke and bees from escaping from the hive. Operate the vaporizer for about 3 minutes following the manufacturer’s instructions and keep the hive closed for another 15 minutes.
3.Cool down and clean the vaporizer after use from any possible residue.Use drinkable water for cooling and/or cleaning it. Maximum dose of 2.3g per hive in a single administration. One treatment per year.
【PRECAUTION】
1.According to the different conditions of bee colony, you must choose 2-3 colonies for trial before applying the product to the whole colony. Observe for 48 hours to determine the medication plan of the bee farm. It should be applied in the morning when the weather is fine to facilitate observation and adjustment.
2.Do not apply this product when the bee colony is lacking in sugar or under migratory beekeeping or has other abnormal conditions.
【WITHDRAWAL TIME】It is not requried to be determined.
【CONTENT SIZE】99%
【PACKING SIZE】200g
【STORAGE】Store in cool, ventilated and dry place.
【SHELF LIFE】2 Years