Scientific Beekeeping: Research on Oxalic Acid

/

Scientific Beekeeping     By Randy Oliver     February 22, 2018

 Hi All,

Thanks so much for your feedback on the mite model--I received over 700 responses, many with constructive comments that I forwarded to the class.  Voting went overwhelmingly to the original graph--596 for it; 26 for the individual graphs; 11 for both.  I suggested to the class a way to present all options--taking first-time users step-by-step, with options.

I'm heartened by the number of you worldwide who have already used the mite model.  Your feedback and notes of appreciation make my day!

I'm currently deep into cage trials to attempt to determine the optimal formula for the extended-release oxalic acid treatment.  I'm trying different ratios of OA to glycerin, as well as using the very similar food-grade solvent propylene glycol.  I'm finding that both humidity and degree of saturation of the towels can make huge differences in whether the treatment hurts the bees.


I've also figured out how to quantify the precise amount of oxalic acid on the bees' bodies using titration:


I'm able to accurately quantify the amount of OA to less than 1/10,000th of a gram!  I now know how much OA is harmful to the bees, and will soon resume testing to see how little is necessary to kill the mites.

I've recently posted three new articles:

Not surprisingly, the first is Progress Report #3 on the above topic of the extended-release oxalic treatment.

The next two are numbers 14 and 15 in my "The Varroa Problem" series.
One discusses in-hive virus dynamics and the need for early mite treatment.
The other models the expected effect of various mite treatment options, especially repeated oxalic acid vaporizations (would also apply to sugar dusting).

Here at home, our beekeeping season is well underway.  Almond bloom in California is nearing an end, just as frosty air moved in to threaten the nutlets with freezing.  We've suddenly gone from a balmy early spring, to winter conditions.  Indeed, we started grafting queen cells as it was snowing.  My sons Eric and Ian are doing a great job at taking over the operation--we went to almonds with our highest colony count yet, and graded at over 15 frames average in those orchards that got graded per contract--giving them a nice bonus!

Happy Beekeeping to All!

Randy

(Please note: Randy Oliver's research on oxalic acid is supported entirely by donations from beekeepers.)

http://scientificbeekeeping.com/

Randy Oliver (Scientific Beekeeping) to Speak at BASC & Orange County Beekeepers Association

/

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, September 28, 29 & 30, 2017, come learn about bees and beekeeping with Randy Oliver (Scientific Beekeeping). 

When: Thursday, September 28th, 6:30pm-8:55pm
Where: La Mirada Civic Center (Resource Room)
Cost: (FREE)
Randy Oliver will be speaking at the September meeting of the Beekeepers Association of Southern California. (See details/flyer below and here.)

Friday, September 29th, 7:00pm (doors open at 6:30pm)
Where: OC Fairgrounds (Silo Building)
Cost: $5.00
Join Randy Olliver and the Orange County Beekeepers Association at the OC Fairgrounds. (See details/flyer below and here.)

When: Saturday, September 30th, 9am-4pm
Where: The Irvine Ranch Education Center,
Cost: $40 / $50.  Orange County Beekeepers Association Event.

Randy will present a full day disease and pest management workshop, intermediate beekeeping topics, also covering other common problems such as insufficient honey or pollen stores, and a hands on demonstration. You have got to see Randy handle a hive - he's amazing!

$40 registration fee for members of the OC club. $50 registration for non-members so bring a friend. Sack lunch and drinks will be provided. Seats are limited to 35 so don't delay. Sign up here http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07eejcjz002b0afc0f&llr=uikx5dkab

Thursday, September 28, 2017
BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
La Mirada Civic Center
Resource Room
13710 La Mirada Blvd.
La Mirada, CA 90638
6:30pm-8:55pm
 Friday, September 29, 2017
ORANGE COUNTY BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION
 OC Fairgrounds
88 Fair Drive (Silo Building)
Costa Mesa, CA 92626 
7:00pm

Saturday, September 30, 2017
ORANGE COUNTY BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION
 Irvine Outdoor Education Center
2 Irvine Park Rd.
Irvine, CA 92869
9:00am-4:00pm

Randy Oliver:

Randy is a regular contributor to the American Beekeeping Journal, owner/author of scientificbeekeeping.com, and one of the premier beekeeping speakers in the US. We are very fortunate to have him share his knowledge with us. This is a rare chance to ask questions of one of the most respected researchers in the field ! Join us and enjoy an informal presentation on Randy's latest research projects and hive management.

“I started keeping bees as a hobbyist around 1966, and then went on to get university degrees in biological sciences, specializing in entomology.  In 1980 I began to build a migratory beekeeping operation in California, and currently run around 1000-1500 hives with my two sons, from which we make our livings.

In 1993, the varroa mite arrived in California, and after it wiped out my operation for the second time in 1999, I decided to “hit the books” and use my scientific background to learn to fight back.  I started writing for the American Bee Journal in 2006, and have submitted articles nearly every month since then (see “Articles by Publication Date”–scroll to the bottom for the most recent).

My writing for the Journal brought me requests to speak at beekeeping conventions, which has also allowed me the chance to visit beekeepers from all over North America and several other continents.  I read most every scientific study relating to beekeeping, and regularly correspond with beekeepers and researchers worldwide.

What I try to do in my articles and blogs is to scour scientific papers for practical beekeeping applications, and to sort through the advice, opinion, and conjecture found in the bee magazines and on the Web, taking no positions other than to provide accurate information to Joe Beekeeper.

I regularly update the articles on this site as new information becomes available, and solicit constructive criticism or comments.  Perhaps the best venue for such discussion is at the Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology.  Be sure to subscribe to updates, and I’ll email you monthly when I add content to the sitehttp://scientificbeekeeping.com/scientific-beekeeping-newsletter/”