Mr Van, I understand and fully appreciate what you have just said and are asking. Believe me, I am just as concerned about the varroa destructor. We all should be concerned in my opinion. Not only do they suck the critical fat bodies from our bees, fat bodies that are needed for maintaining health of each bee, as well as the colony for survival throughout the winter months, but the varroa destructor distributes viruses that can and WILL devastate and destroy complete colonies. There is more to the varroa destructor than meets the eye.
As you know, I talk to beekeepers all over the world. I seek knowledge of things that I do not know or understand. (And that is a lot of stuff, lol). The one thing that I have found, is the one thing which is frowned upon by my fellow beekeepers here on this forum.
German beekeepers have come up with a solution to the dreaded destructors. An organic solution. This solution seems complicated to the average American Beekeeper because of the process that is required, amounts, conditions, temperatures, etc., necessary to use this effectively and safely for our bees. I have found most beekeepers simply do not wish to go through the trouble of educating themselves, researching the safe and effective use of formic acid.
When I say safe, I am referring to safety to the hive in general and especially the queen. It is not rocket science but apparently viewed as such to most beekeepers here. The dose along with temperature, along with the amount of bees (frames of bees and boxes are part of the mathematics in determining the correct amount of dosage of formic to be administered. It is a balancing act for sure, but a reasonable attack when understood. The formic flash treatment is what I am referring too and what I intend to attempt to master in the near future.
As for now I use Oxalic, I have even went as far as to manufacture a OAV machine which I believe is better than what can be bought in the marketed level for beginners, the one which can be purchased in the 400 to 500 dollar range. I am excluding what pros such as HP use (the pipe type). However pride will not save bees. An effective treatment will. A treatment that WILL effectively kill mites in capped brood as well as uncapped, which is safe to the HEALTHY bees is what is desired by me.
Therefore I say again, I fully intend to go down the formic road in the near future, namely this fall. A mistake? Maybe. A huge mistake? Possibly. We will see. Will I change my mind? I reserve the privilege.
PS you may hear me crying loud and long afterward. Again, we will see. 😁
Blessings