How to Apply Oxalic Acid Vaporizer on Apimaye Bee Hives

The following methods can be used for our 7 frame hives, 10 frame hives, 10 frame bottom boards, and our Super Kit bottom board (Bottom Board for Apimaye Supers).

Varroa mite treatment is crucial for a healthy bee colony. One way of treating Varroa mites in a bee hive is using Oxalic Acid Vaporizer. There are 2 methods of applying the vaporizer on our bee hives. The difference is in first method, one has apply from under the hive, and use a little bit more than usual, and in the second method, one has to modify the vaporizer and take the front entrance reducer.

The First Method

Let’s start with the easy method. You’ll need

• Oxalic acid
• Acid vaporizer
• Power source for your vaporizer
• 1 large, or 2 regular sized damp towels

For the application please follow these steps:

• Take the pollen trap off the hive and seal the slot with the red plug
• Take the pollen and bottom board tray out
• Shut the entrance reducer and front circular outlets close
• Put oxalic acid in the vaporizer and slide it under the hive from the back
• Seal the perimeter of the bottom board with the damp towel(s)
• Connect the vaporizer to the power source
• Let it sit about 5 to 10 minutes until all the acid granules have vaporized
• Unplug the vaporizer from the power source
• Take the towels out
• Open the hive entrance and the round circular outlets back
• Put the pollen and bottom drawer back
• Put the pollen trap back if using

The drawback of this easy method is that you’ll need a little bit more oxalic acid than usual. This is our suggested method due to the easiness of the procedure.

The Second Method

This method is slightly more difficult as it requires modification on the vaporizer.

For this method you’ll need

• Oxalic acid
• Acid vaporizer
• Power source for your vaporizer
• 1 regular sized damp towel
• Philips screwdriver
• Hive tool/flat screwdriver
• Paint stick from a hardware store
• Wire

You can already see that this method is a little more demanding. We will be putting the vaporizer from the front of the bee hive by taking the front entrance reducer. Since the vaporizer will be heating up, it should not be laying on top of the plastic bottom board.

Vaporizer Modification

• Obtain a paint stick from the paint department of a hardware store
• Place the vaporizer on top of the paint stick
• Tie the vaporizer from multiple locations to the paint stick with the wire (it is better if you drill holes on the stick for the wires go through, or you may secure it using other methods as well)
• Make sure the vaporizer is secured to the paint stick

Application

• Unscrew the two screws that are holding the entrance reducer in its place using the Philips screwdriver
• Use the hive tool or a flat screwdriver to pull the entrance reducer up and take it off
• Put oxalic acid to the modified vaporizer
• Slide the modified vaporizer inside the hive from the front
• Seal the front hive opening with the damp towel
• Close the round entrance pieces
• Connect the vaporizer to the power source
• Let it sit about 5 to 10 minutes until all the acid granules have vaporized
• Unplug the vaporizer from the power source
• Take the damp towel out
• Remove the vaporizer from the hive
• Screw the entrance reducer back to its slot
• Open the circular hive entrance back

You may choose to use this method over the other, and it’s totally up to you.

You can see that it’s not that hard to apply it at all.