WARNING: oxalic acid is dangerous in powder or liquid form
- Skin Contact – Can cause skin burns
- Eye Contact – Can burn eyes
- Ingestion – Can cause cramps, vomiting, convulsions
- Breathed In – Can damage nose, throat, lungs
Handling
When handling oxalic acid in powder or mixed form use gloves, goggles and a mask. Have water and rags available for splashes and spills.
Mixing
- Dissolve 1 kg sugar in 1 litre of water
- Add 75 g of 3.2% oxalic acid. Mix thoroughly and carefully
- Store in a glass or plastic container, but it is best used fairly soon after mixing
For smaller quantities, e.g. use 100 g sugar, 100 ml water and 7.5 g oxalic acid.
Usage
Using a syringe containing 50 ml of the mixture apply 5 ml to the bees between each top bar in the brood chamber.
When
Preferably mid- to end of December when it is too cold for the bees to fly but above freezing and the bees are spread across the frames and not forming a cluster.
Oxalic acid is available from Kemble Bee Supplies and there are usually eBay sellers who offer it.
