Central Oregon Beekeeping Association - Is February to early for Oxalic acid treatment for mites?

Reply to: Is February to early for Oxalic acid treatment for mites?

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<blockquote>Dennis Gallagher wrote:

Richard, Here is my two cents worth.&nbsp; What I am about to write applies mostly to Langstroth hives. Ware, top bar, or long hives may require a little more creativity to use an Oxalic acid vaporizer.

&nbsp; Oxalic acid is used in the midwinter time slot because most hives in colder climates (I think we qualify) have very little to no brood then. And, the treatment does not require the hive to be opened other than possibly temporarily enlarging the entrance a bit if you have made it very small for the winter.&nbsp; Most discussions I've seen say that the brood-less (or low brood) period is late December or early January. As you suggested, that would mean that the mites are therefore riding on an adult bee and exposed to the vapor. Not protected in a sealed brood cell.&nbsp; I (actually a friend cause I'm recovering from surgery) treated several of my hives this winter on February 3rd with vaporized oxalic acid. Even February 3rd might be a little late for getting the most effect from the treatment.&nbsp; That doesn't mean that a treatment won't help. I had the hives treated that had higher mite counts prior to treatment with Formic Acid in August.&nbsp; I figured they would benefit the most because they seem to have the least natural resistance.&nbsp; I will do a mite count in March or April when the weather is warmer and we will see how things look then. 
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