BBKA Forum

Murox wrote: ↑

18 Jun 2020, 14:07

I was struck by the amount of data/studies that are available for the various chemical treatments and how many are 'sponsored' by the companies who who make them.

Interesting studies in use of double stranded RNA by James Masucci on killing varroa. Its a technique that is in it's infancy but has the possibility to be a game changer. You specifically block an essential biochemical pathway in your parasite of choice that has no effect on the host. Currently the method of application is adding the DSRNA to sugar solution fed to bees. Interesting results suggest it's doing well, up there with Apivar, but a long way to go.
Research is conducted my Monsanto, everybody's whipping boy.

I think it is a very clever move as the technology (when/if perfected) has the potential to solve plant/pathogen problems without needing pesticides and a nice positive spin with bees being involved. Very clever marketing.

Now that is interesting, something to keep an eye on certainly. Unfortunate that its Monsanto really , but in the end as you point out could be a real 'game changer'.

LASI at the Univ of Sussex published this on oxalic acid sublimation.
https://www.sussex.ac.uk/lasi/sussexplan/varroamites

And there's a pdf on this page
https://www.sussex.ac.uk/lasi/

LASI started to produce hygenic queens for sale until EFB was found at their apiary and the lasiqueenbees.com website has been taken down; There have been no new updates of "The Sussex Plan" since 2015. Shame that it all seems to have stopped.

If i remember correct Lasi used barbaric methods on Varroa control by stripping the colonies of brood and then treating with OA..

Yes Adam that paper/study LASI at the Univ of Sussex published this on oxalic acid sublimation.
https://www.sussex.ac.uk/lasi/sussexplan/varroamites
states clearly
“The results came to a clear and encouraging conclusion. Application of OA via sublimation, where OA is applied in its pure form by vapourising the crystals with a special heated tool, was superior to application as a solution via either spraying or dribbling.”

I do wonder how is it then that a certain product diluted with basically sugar and ground to a fine powder, is purportedly as efficacious ?
and the quantity
“An amazing 97% of the varroa were killed by using 2.25g of oxalic acid per hive, and colony survival 3 months later in spring was close to 100%.”