I got a email from Mann Lake this morning advertising that they are selling it.who is selling it?
I'm not sure of the active ingredients in HGII, other than that they are "beta acids". I suspect that the active component is only found in trace amounts in hops, and is isolated and concentrated into the strips in order to provide a dosage high enough to have an effect on varroa. Or, the active component was initially isolated from hops but is now produced synthetically.Hopguard works on what principle? My assumption is that it is made of beer hops and it is the smell. If that is the case, why not go down to the home brew shop and buy hops by the ounce more inexpensively?
Beta acids in hops (lupulone, colupulone and adlupulone) contribute to the flavor and aroma of beer, so that makes sense. If you have ever opened a package of really fresh hops, the smell can knock you over. Depending on the variety, the beta content can be about 5 to 7 percent, so I don't think there is a need to produce it synthetically when so much raw product is readily available. There are also hundreds essential oils, but at much lower concentrations. You can get hop oil from just about any home brew outlet.I'm not sure of the active ingredients in HGII, other than that they are "beta acids". I suspect that the active component is only found in trace amounts in hops, and is isolated and concentrated into the strips in order to provide a dosage high enough to have an effect on varroa. Or, the active component was initially isolated from hops but is now produced synthetically.
Ah, thanks! That explains a lot of the language in the patent about 'tautomers thereof.' I had forgotten about the lupulone. The patent is rather vague (of course), and covers amounts of active components ranging from 1% to 95%, or an integer number within that range.Beta acids in hops (lupulone, colupulone and adlupulone) contribute to the flavor and aroma of beer, so that makes sense. If you have ever opened a package of really fresh hops, the smell can knock you over. Depending on the variety, the beta content can be about 5 to 7 percent, so I don't think there is a need to produce it synthetically when so much raw product is readily available. There are also hundreds essential oils, but at much lower concentrations. You can get hop oil from just about any home brew outlet.
It wood be interesting to put an ounce of fresh hops in the bottom of a hive and see what happens. You would definitely be able to smell it.
I miss brewing; this darn beekeeping keeps me too busy.
Me? treatment free? Only about 11 months a year.Hey Jim Lyon:
Did you ever use Hopguard 1? If so, what was your opinion of the product? Or, are you treatment free. It's one of those 'inquiring mind things.' I wouldn't bother you with this question except for the fact that you seem to level headed and honest in all of your writings. I appreciate a commercial beekeeper such as yourself that takes the time to reply to us, "the great unwashed."![]()
Well SWIM tells me that really fresh hops do indeed look and smell like dank nuggs.They are related, but not so closely as one might think. People seem to think there's something magical about hops because of this relationship, but the honest truth is that there is little commonality. The best things about hops?.... they are a soporific, induce sleep, they make my brews taste and smell wonderful, and now they can help with mite control. End of magic show.
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