Oxalic acid for mite control is used early spring or late fall when little or no brood is present to treat varroa mites.
Varroa destructor mites (an external parasite) weaken honey bees and can lead to the demise of your hive if left untreated. Api-Bioxal is an oxalic acid treatment that is approved by the E.P.A. under a label developed by the USDA making it a safe, effective solution for killing mites.
This package treats 20-35 colonies depending on the method used. Need a different quantity? We also sell a 350 g Api-Bioxal Oxalic Acid (200-300 colonies)
Quick facts and tips about Api-Bioxal:
- It is an oxalic acid that has been approved by the federal EPA and state pesticide regulators for use with honey bees.
- Can be used when honey supers are on the hive.
- Oxalic acid works best on colonies with little to no brood.
- Always wear a protective mask, gloves, glasses, and long sleeves when mixing and applying oxalic acid.
- Do not perform multiple treatments on each generation of summer or winter bees.
- Treat all colonies in the apiary at the same time to avoid reinfestation.
What makes Api-Bioxal different from other oxalic acid options out there?
- Api-Bioxal has gone through the required steps to be a LEGAL form of dribbled or vaporized oxalic acid that can be applied to hives in the United States.
- Api-Bioxal can only be made from approved sources that meet quality standards set by the EPA. Other oxalic acid powders are sold as "wood bleach" and sourced from whatever industrial manufacturer is handy.
- Every single batch of Api-Bioxal is tested for heavy metal residues, compounds known to be harmful to bees, and other impurities or signs of manufacturing defects. Safe legal miticides ensure safe legal honey. If someone gets sick after eating your honey and you are caught using illegal miticides, you could get in very big trouble.
- When you buy Api-Bioxal, you support the beekeeping companies who are following the laws AND trying to update those laws to help beekeepers like you.
Note:
- This 35g package can treat 20 colonies using the dribble method and 35 colonies using the vaporization/sublimation method
- Api-Bioxal can be applied either via the dribble or vaporization/sublimation method (explained below). You can also spray package bees following the instructions on the Api-Bioxal label.
- Treating against varroa is necessary to keep honey bee colonies healthy and strong. However, treatment is not recommended unless you know that your varroa mite count is in excess of the treatment threshold. You can learn more about the treatment threshold from a trusted resource done by Ontario Tech Transfer Varroa Mite Treatment Threshold and Recommendations
- Api-Bioxal has a 5-year shelf life
- Not available in California
Instructions for the dribbling method:
- Dissolve oxalic acid in 1:1 sugar syrup. The recommended ratio is 35g dissolved into 1L of sugar syrup.
- Dribble 5ml of the syrup/oxalic solution onto the bees in each occupied bee space with a syringe or an applicator.
- Maximum dose: 50ml per colony.
Instructions for the vaporization/sublimation method:
- Seal the entrance and cracks of the hives with tape.
- Use the vaporizer following the manufacturer’s directions.
- Use 1g of Api-Bioxal per brood chamber.
Warning: Use protective mask, gloves, and glasses, and long sleeves when mixing and applying oxalic acid.
