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New Zealand Beekeeping Forums
Commercial Beekeeping in New Zealand
making oxalic strips
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<blockquote data-quote="NatureAlley" data-source="post: 12827" data-attributes="member: 91"><p>Hi Tristan, the rate of formation of formic acid from oxalic acid is temperature dependent, but I think you need not worry too much in your setup, because at temperatures of 60°C there is no substantial conversion. That only happens at t≥100°C. In many European countries beekeepers use formic acid treatment exclusively to treat Varroa, a low concentration in glycerol would probably not be that dangerous to bees and queens, but certainly formic acid vapour is not to be inhaled. But again, at 60°C and below, that risk is very low. </p><p>Re the crystallisation of oxalic acid on the surface of the strips as caused by the absorption of water from humid air: no matter how much one tries to keep the oxalic acid from crystallising, once the strips are in the hives they are exposed to the humid air inside, the glycerol will take up water from the humid air and oxalic acid will crystallise quite quickly (within days). I have never measure hive humidity, but numbers of 55-60% RH are mentioned often. At those humidity levels glycerol can take up ~25% of its weight in water or more and not seldom small puddles of oxalic acid/glycerin/water are seen on the hive bottom or on a sticky board. It can't be avoided.</p><p>And finally a question: can you help me with a reference that proves the 3x higher activity of liquid OA in glycerol as compared to the solid?</p><p>Thank you, good luck!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="NatureAlley, post: 12827, member: 91"] Hi Tristan, the rate of formation of formic acid from oxalic acid is temperature dependent, but I think you need not worry too much in your setup, because at temperatures of 60°C there is no substantial conversion. That only happens at t≥100°C. In many European countries beekeepers use formic acid treatment exclusively to treat Varroa, a low concentration in glycerol would probably not be that dangerous to bees and queens, but certainly formic acid vapour is not to be inhaled. But again, at 60°C and below, that risk is very low. Re the crystallisation of oxalic acid on the surface of the strips as caused by the absorption of water from humid air: no matter how much one tries to keep the oxalic acid from crystallising, once the strips are in the hives they are exposed to the humid air inside, the glycerol will take up water from the humid air and oxalic acid will crystallise quite quickly (within days). I have never measure hive humidity, but numbers of 55-60% RH are mentioned often. At those humidity levels glycerol can take up ~25% of its weight in water or more and not seldom small puddles of oxalic acid/glycerin/water are seen on the hive bottom or on a sticky board. It can't be avoided. And finally a question: can you help me with a reference that proves the 3x higher activity of liquid OA in glycerol as compared to the solid? Thank you, good luck! [/QUOTE]
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making oxalic strips
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