how long after oxalic dribblel method before mite count drops?

[Tim B]

It has been three days and I'm still counting the same number of mites using the sugar roll test. Any thoughts?

[Mike Gillmore]

Oxalic dribble should be done when the colony is close to being broodless, I would guess probably early to mid winter in your area. Right now there may be more mites entering the general population with emerging bees.

Double check your solution and make sure you mixed it with correct weights and measures.

[rbees]

If all the mites are out of the brood, you should see a high initial mite drop then taper off. If there's still brood, then expect to see a good drop at first, then tapering off.

Of course that's if you mixed the solution carefully and correctly

[hpm08161947]

Double check your solution and make sure you mixed it with correct weights and measures.

What do you consider to be a correct concentration of OA for a mid winter dribble? I may use it in Jan when we get the first of those above 50 degree days (happens here in East NC).

[jim lyon]

I mix 24 ozs. oxalic 15 to 20 lbs. sugar and warm water to make 5 gallons. It is a bit lighter solution than most use but I have found it to be quite effective. We split doubles and like to flip the top box over and spray down into the cluster between the bottom bars and then as needed depending on the cluster size between the top bars of the lower box. Noticeable results should be observed within 48 hours.

[Mike Gillmore]

For smaller batches here is what I have used.

OA - 17.5 g.
Sugar - 300 g.
Water - 300 ml.

Mix your sugar and hot water to make a syrup.
Dissolve the OA crystals in a small amount of alcohol and blend with syrup.

[acbz]

I plan on hitting our bees with OA this winter as it appears that the treatment which has been used that past few years has stopped working. One question I have but which I've never seen addressed, is what happens if the queen gets splashed with oxalic? I have read that OA can shorten the lifespan of the bees which it contacts and I assume this also applies to the queen. Have any of you experienced any queen problems after an oxalic dribble? In addition, what is the purpose of adding sugar to the mixture- my understanding is that the bees do not consume the OA to a great extent. Thanks.
Aaron

[Mike Gillmore]

Based on my experience using dribble I've had very few problems with queen loss.

I think the purpose of using a sugar solution to deliver the OA solution would be that the syrup is sticky and will coat and adhere well to the bees. Trying to use a water solution you may find that most of it will be repelled and just roll off the bees, kind of like water off a ducks back.

[jim lyon]

I plan on hitting our bees with OA this winter as it appears that the treatment which has been used that past few years has stopped working. One question I have but which I've never seen addressed, is what happens if the queen gets splashed with oxalic? I have read that OA can shorten the lifespan of the bees which it contacts and I assume this also applies to the queen. Have any of you experienced any queen problems after an oxalic dribble? In addition, what is the purpose of adding sugar to the mixture- my understanding is that the bees do not consume the OA to a great extent. Thanks.
Aaron

I really doubt that would be an issue Aaron as I never see any dead bees around the entrance after application and we have never noticed a high incidence of queens lost over the winter following application. As far as life span, I can only say that our bees emerge from the winter quite strong, Perhaps they might be a bit stronger without an application perhaps not as then you are dealing with a higher mite load which I know for a fact isn't good. Never heard of trickling it in plain water, I think Mike's assessment is probably correct.

[acbz]

Thanks, both of those posts make good sense to me. Looking forward to seeing how it works out.

[virgiea68]

Thank you jim lyon for all your answers and suggestions. I tried applying what you have suggested and it really worked. My termites problem is solved. Thank you very much once again.