Two days ago I wrote a reply to what is being discussed here - but I erased it. As I usually do, I was waiting for those who with great know-how and authority govern the dispersal of knowledge to those in need or/and willingness to absorb all that those throw before them. That until now has not happened - perhaps not willing to show own cards?
Today I will chance it - cause I don't really care if they, or others, like it or not...
It amazes me to no end, how bluntly this Oxalic stuff goes on?! Not just on this site, but also on all others! Info is freely passed, from under one's fingers, to the next hand, which is anxiously awaiting to punch some buttons on the keyboard!
Last I heard, oxalic use in US is still not approved?!
Hope you are all familiar with a recent roomer that a loss of 35,000 colonies has occurred to one keeper - worlds biggest?! (He was already fined $14,000 for illegal use of that stuff!)
And all this said: Why are so many beeks surprised when they find themselves without bees?
One thing is clear to me - it sure makes for sure and steady business with packages and nucks, come Spring...
I should keep out of this, cause, I do not use chem or any other treatment, so I have no right to knock it... But it don't take no rocket scientist to know that one does not stick poisons in ones hives "just to help out?"
Help out what? Who?
One good rule of thumb is, I believe: Read instructions and follow them to a " T "! They are there for a reason - legal stuff or not!
I would suggest that our beekeeping friends south of the boarder don't have the luxury of having the instruction booklets, cause OK acid there is not for use in hives. Therefore is not sold as such! Most of that stuff that they use is purchased in lumber yards and hardware stores and is used for cleaning purposes and what not!? I Have even read on one of the forums where keepers are buying OK meant for bleaching wood!? I guess it never donned on them that perhaps - that is not the same OK, as used in other parts of the world for fighting varroa!?
Poor bees! Is what I have to say...
And to threat them while they are in a cluster? Treated twice already - in last two weeks and "feel is not enough?"
Perhaps somebody forgot to tell them about that elusive sheet of white-sticky paper and varoa count? And how important that is..?!
How does one "feel" when is enough? Honestly..? I would like to know? In my 52 years with bees, I don't know much and I know it...
If good Lord lets mi keep bees for much longer, I may some day have a need to use OK, or some other gunk!? Who knows. .?
One thing that I know already, though - is that I will never in my lifetime, stick some poison under my bees, when they are in a cluster, even if God himself tels me that "it won't disturb them much...") And especially not, if I by some strange gift of nature - "feel" - that they don't have enough...
I can say more, but this is basically all I wanted to get of my chest...
Now bring out your Louisville sluggers you all. . . . . . .
Regards,
Trot