API-BIOXAL oxalic acid for the treatment of varroasis

What is API-BIOXAL oxalic acid used for?

API-BIOXAL oxalic acid is an essential treatment for effectively controlling Varroa destructor, a formidable parasite of honeybees (Apis mellifera). This product is specifically designed to target phoretic Varroa mites—that is, those found on the bodies of adult bees—without affecting their digestive system. Research shows that oxalic acid acts through direct contact—particularly on the mites’ legs and the membranes of their exoskeletons—thanks to its particularly low pH. This makes it a powerful and effective product for protecting your hives against this devastating parasite.

By using API-BIOXAL, you’re choosing a natural solution that tackles the problem at its source. Unlike other treatments, oxalic acid leaves no trace in the hive wax and does not contaminate the honey, thus ensuring the purity of your bee products. Furthermore, this treatment has no contraindications, making it a safe choice for beekeepers concerned about the health of their bees and the quality of their honey.

The main advantage of oxalic acid is its targeted action. It is a contact acaricide, meaning it kills varroa mites upon contact with the product, without harming other aspects of the hive. Furthermore, this treatment is highly concentrated, ensuring maximum effectiveness even at low doses. A single application is often sufficient to significantly reduce varroa infestation, thereby minimizing stress on the bee colony.

Furthermore, API-BIOXAL stands out for its environmental friendliness. Unlike other chemical treatments, it has no negative impact on the surrounding ecosystem. Oxalic acid occurs naturally in many plants and breaks down easily, reducing its environmental footprint. By choosing this treatment, you’re helping to protect not only your bees but also the planet.

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How do you use this product?

Drip Administration Method

Administering API-BIOXAL via drip application is simple but requires a few precautions to ensure its effectiveness. Before you begin, wear a mask, gloves, and safety goggles to avoid direct contact with the powder. To prepare the product, dissolve all the powder from the packet in the appropriate amount of syrup, made from water and sucrose in a 1:1 ratio. This dissolution results in a 4.2% oxalic acid solution in 60% sucrose syrup.

Here are the dosages to follow based on the size of the packet:

• For a 35-gram packet: Dissolve in 500 ml of syrup (treatment for approximately 10 hives).
• For a 175-g packet: Dissolve in 2.5 L of syrup (enough to treat approximately 50 hives).
• For a 350-gram packet: Dissolve in 5.0 liters of syrup (enough to treat approximately 100 hives).

The treatment should be administered in a single application, applying 5 ml of solution per frame gap (the space between the top bars of the frames) of bees. Use a syringe to apply the solution along the entire length of each frame gap. The maximum dose per hive is 50 ml, and up to two treatments per year are possible, ideally in winter and/or in spring/summer.

Administration by Sublimation

Sublimation is an alternative method of administering API-BIOXAL, which requires an electric resistance heater. This technique involves heating oxalic acid to turn it into vapor, allowing for uniform distribution of the product throughout the hive. To do this, fill the device’s reservoir with 2.3 g of oxalic acid. Then place the device at the hive entrance, beneath the bees, taking care to avoid any contact with the honeycombs. Close the hive entrance to prevent smoke and bees from escaping, then operate the device for about 3 minutes, following the manufacturer’s instructions. After sublimation, keep the hive tightly closed for an additional 15 minutes to ensure the treatment is effective.

Once the procedure is complete, allow the device to cool before cleaning it thoroughly to remove any residue. Use drinking water for this cleaning. The maximum fumigation dose is 2.3 g per hive, to be administered in a single application, with only one treatment per year. For optimal results, it is recommended to treat hives with mesh bottoms.

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Precautions for Use

For maximum effectiveness, API-BIOXAL must be applied when the colony has no brood or when the amount of brood is at a minimum. Oxalic acid does not penetrate the wax and does not reach the Varroa mites inside the capped brood, which can reduce the treatment’s effectiveness. For this reason, it is recommended to use API-BIOXAL in the winter or after handling the colony in the summer to remove the brood (for example, by caging the queen). The best results are achieved when the queen is caged for at least 25 days, during which time the colony is broodless.

Even with careful application, colonies severely infested with Varroa mites may not survive. Furthermore, the treatment’s effectiveness may vary depending on usage conditions, such as the residual presence of brood, temperature, and reinfestation. Therefore, API-BIOXAL should be incorporated into an integrated varroa control program, with regular monitoring of varroa mite fall.

What is its composition?

API-BIOXAL is formulated with the following ingredients: Oxalic Acid as a Dihydrate, Hydrated Colloidal Silica, Glucose Monohydrate.

Product Description

API-BIOXAL comes in the form of a fine white powder, ready for use in the hive. The product is available in three different package sizes, tailored to the needs of your apiary:

• 35-gram packet to treat approximately 10 colonies*.
• 175-gram packet to treat approximately 50 colonies*.
• 350-gram packet to treat approximately 100 colonies*.

*Assuming 10 frames of bees per hive treated by drip application.