We should qualify the statement above somewhat. When we choose oxalic acid as a treatment, we're leveraging that handy little fact, for the benefit of our bees. From that point the mite is a goner! Meanwhile, bees don't have a particularly adverse reaction to the correct application of oxalic acid. But the most popular theory is that it enters the mite through its feet (yes, really!) and then moves into the bloodstream. Truth be told, it's not entirely understood why oxalic acid is so effective in treating Varroa. Oxalic acid isn't terribly expensive, is natural and can be very effective. It was only approved for use in beehives in the US in 2015. So, with that, why is oxalic acid of such interest to us? It has been shown to be a direct and effective treatment for Varroa mites and has been used for this purpose in Europe and Canada for many years. Why is oxalic acid of interest to beekeepers? It has many practical uses beyond beekeeping, including as a cleaning or bleaching agent and is often used to clean minerals. It is a colorless solid that dissolves to form a colorless solution in water.
Herbivores find oxalic acid repellent, which is a handy property if you are a plant!Ĭhemically, the oxalic acid molecule is comprised of two carbon, two hydrogen and four oxygen atoms. It is an organic compound found in nature within many plants, including vegetables, leafy greens, fruits, nuts, seeds and more. Oxalic acid, however, is entirely natural. Indeed, some commonly used treatments are based on unnatural chemicals and any beekeeper following natural beekeeping principles will likely have an aversion against such treatments. Much of the debate around the use of treatments by beekeepers focuses on the use of harsh chemicals in the hive. Applying oxalic acid to treat varroa What is oxalic acid? In this article we take a detailed look at oxalic acid, how it works, why many beekeepers consider it an essential part of their arsenal against the threat of Varroa and some cautionary notes on its use. This treatment is also favored by many beekeepers. In recent years, one of the more popular treatments is the application of oxalic acid. The question of how and when to treat for Varroa, though, is one that has consumed many an hour at beekeeping clubs, as well as many pages online!
There are numerous ways to measure the mite load, with methods like the sugar and ether rolls being popular. A keen awareness of the level of Varroa mites in the hive is a primary concern for most beekeepers.
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