NZBF: Oxalic Strips - what do do once soaked?

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1
1
South Waikato
Experience
Beginner
Hi, I am new to beekeeping and have just moved to the Waikato. I bought 2 colonies a week ago off a renowned source who said he treated his bees with Apivar in August.
I've ordered the kit from beequip for making Oxalic strips and want to put them in the hives as soon the strips are ready.
Can anyone advise on how the long they should stay in the hives for and whether the strips can be used continuously - or do the girls need a break from them?
 
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5,764
6,323
canterbury
Experience
Commercial
We put O/A strips in about a month ago. Four per brood box.
Quite a few are chewed out and dust on the bottom boards.
We are re- charging the bees with more strips as we go around.... another two or three , depending on the strength.

We are still learning, but I'm inclined to keep stuffing them in until we start supering, when we'll place an O/A soaked shop cloth over the brood and under the queen excluder.

Of interest,was an article in the latest Advocate by DNA John about O/A possibly being detrimental to the bees gut health.
Having got acid in my eye a few weeks ago, I did wonder about the effect of the acid on the bees eyesight as well !

@stoney may well have some words of wisdom.
 
1
0
UK
Experience
International
Hi - am new to the Forum, from UK
Still inexperienced with the forum but has anybody tried the Randy Oliver method of using cellulose sponges for Ox/Gly mix? Last time I tried making strips with card they fell apart. Not sure what the UK version of Gib tape is either.
Can anybody steer me to the relevant part of the forum? Cheers.
 

Mark Lawrence

Founder Member
48
69
Christchurch
Experience
Breeder
Hi - am new to the Forum, from UK
Still inexperienced with the forum but has anybody tried the Randy Oliver method of using cellulose sponges for Ox/Gly mix? Last time I tried making strips with card they fell apart. Not sure what the UK version of Gib tape is either.
Can anybody steer me to the relevant part of the forum? Cheers.
Welcome Tony.
I think "Knauf Joint Tape" is the UK equivalent of NZ gib tape.
 
2
0
Christchurch
Experience
Hobbyist
Is the ratio by weight?
If you are using what seems to be the most common ratio 60.40 you probably dont need to take the combined mix quite that high. 57ish should be enough but will require either a bit of stirring or time at that temp. There is some thought that too much temp may not be a good thing.

I soak my strips for 10 - 24 hrs as I want every drop that I can get in them.

Remember to wear your specs
 


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