![]() This is a significant finding given this approach is often promoted as an effective summer treatment when brood is present. In separate research, Jennifer treated hives 7 times (5 days between treatments) with oxalic acid during the summer (Sept-October in GA) and the results showed no impact on bringing down mite counts vs a control group of hives which were not treated at all. Her tests showed using shop towels soaked in oxalic acid was no more effective than a control group (which received no treatment) at reducing varroa levels in hives. Jennifer collaborated with Randy Oliver to recreate his test of the effectiveness of using shop towels soaked in oxalic acid and whether this slow-release approach to killing varroa would work in the hot humid climate of Georgia (similar to Missouri climate). ![]() Her research is done in multiple locations with at least 10 hives per location and groups of control hives. Jennifer cautioned against following what you see on the internet unless it has been tested and verified for effectiveness using a rigorous process. In late summer the mite population can exceed the bee population as the queen shows down brood production. Mite populations ramp up through the spring as more bee brood is available. Varroa infect bee larva with viruses while the larva is developing under the brood capping. So in the spring when there is more drone brood, mites can reproduce more rapidly. Varroa mites can reproduce in worker brood at least 1.5 times and up to 5 times in drone brood. ![]() Here is a brief summary of some of the points Jennifer made: Her research has focused on queen breeding, improving honey bee health, Integrated Pest Management techniques for Varroa and small hive beetle control, sub-lethal effects of pesticides on beneficial insects, weeds for bees, and what best to plant in non-traditional landscapes to enhance pollinator populations and diversity. Jennifer Berry has been the Apicultural Research Professional and Lab Manager for the University of Georgia Honey Bee Program for over 20 years. On the first night of the Three Rivers Beekeepers’ 2021 Advanced Beekeeping Workshop, Jennifer Berry provided an excellent summary of the results from her research projects involving oxalic acid treatment for varroa mite control and provided a great overview of varroa and oxalic acid in general. A Blog post by Jim Stellern summarizing Jennifer Berry’s Advanced Beekeeping Workshop presentation “Oxalic Acid Research: Three Years in the Making” ![]()
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