You'll always get the haters. This absolutely works! I've been trying it this year with incredible results. I've had some mite problems in my day. This, to me, is my silver bullet. I do what works. Ive been doing one full towel per hive.. I just made a new batch. I've been doing equal parts glycerin to oxalic acid weight. My mite count is the best it's ever been. Keep up the good work.
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19243 жыл бұрын
I agree, this looks like a game changer.
@michaelhall79212 жыл бұрын
Some would say IT is not within the rules but when the thinking beekeeper considers that anyone can spray the same acid directly onto bees the whole debate seems utterly ridiculous. A few papers say that the acid does not get into the honey when the honey supers are on there fore it is good to use for summer. I would really like to know the scientific data that states what humidity exists in the hive around the strips for that factor to prevent it's efficacy as in Georgia. The UK is very humid at times but that method killed 1300 mites + in 5 weeks. The fumigation method would have taken 6 lots of 4 gram a time 3 days apart. Fumigation @ 4 g = 80 mite drop after 3 days..... 2 strips = after 24 hrs = 300 mite drop. Does this say anything?????
@beeawesome71402 жыл бұрын
My beekeeping mentor has used this method for years with a very high success rate, I'm trying it for the first time this year.
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19242 жыл бұрын
sorry for the late reply, been way out of town. I have been really happy with my results from this year
@blackberry5908 Жыл бұрын
@@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre1924 what sponges do you use now ?
@BackBeeBrokenBeekeepingАй бұрын
Why did you do them in thirds when Randy Oliver used them in halves.
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre1924Ай бұрын
could not afford enough of them to do halves. these sponges are not good, I used them 1 time but never again. they fall apart. I have newer videos showing what I use now, and how much better they work
@michaelhall79212 жыл бұрын
Harris you are a gem. I have had the strips at 1 to 1 as per R Oliver's teaching for 16 days . It is noted that he has experimented with a considerable amount of varying strengths of solution. I though the general consensus by RO is 25 gramms Oxalic acid per hive. It was interesting to count the mites per 24 hrs...... Quite erratic I thought. At start 20 odd then 50 odd after a week and a half but now after 16 days 4 mites today with 8 or so on average per 24 Hrs.......before that I am with you absolutely that it may be the silver bullet that we are all looking for. What are those who make the 'rules' waiting for? It certainly seems more efficient than two fumigations at 4 gram apiece 6 days apart. Over the two gassings with OA the drop was 120 then a week gap no treatment the strips went in as soon as I saw all of R Oliver's experimentation. Harris it seems a good method. The bees do not seem to be too bothered by the OA because they have been chewing on it! One tooth pick was in place over two frames but the 30% cellulose /70% polyester strip had fallen down. It will be 2 more days before inspecting those frames. I am debating whether to put in three more 'fresh' strips. I've a mind to because I just love killing mites. I'm also keeping my fingers crossed in the hope that as Randy Oliver says = it is possible to rid a hive completely of mites", by the strip method. The bees are proliferating also. Seems more like a ballistic tip than a silver bullet?
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19242 жыл бұрын
A number of colleges are testing this now too. They are not coming up with the same results Randy got. Randy tested it over the winter, all they did was maintain the same mite load. They are trying to figure out why, one theory is it doesn't work as well with high humidity. And Randy's original study, he didn't get real good control for a couple of months. But even if these strips will just maintain the might level, and we can reduce it with other methods but less often then in the past, it's still a win for the bees
@michaelhall79212 жыл бұрын
@@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre1924 Harris thank you fo the info. I am finding it great as said. I agree with you the strips may well be the silver bullet. I have a good sublimator /fumigator and I would think it needs three fumigations to 1 month of strips......
@yukselgunes47632 ай бұрын
Hello. Bees cover the sponge with propolis. Is it normal? Thanks for sharing.
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19242 ай бұрын
if they get too covered, replace them
@michaelhall79212 жыл бұрын
Harris I hope you are still doing well with the mites...... 24 a day dropping which I expect will continue the odd days till the drop will lessen to zero. Can you imagine the bee police will drop on us for administering the same material as that which is sprayed on them directly? I am surprised the strip method is not being 'heralded by a fanfare of trumpets'. That is what I said when I used a small heavy tube fly to catch salmon when out of 30 fishers no others caught bugger all....... I'm lovin it... Always always keep an open mind.
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19242 жыл бұрын
I am going to do some varroa testing this week, and freshen some strips
@so_cal_mom2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for showing us.
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19242 жыл бұрын
I have found sponges like better, but these will work. they just got expensive when doing lots of them
@michaelhall79212 жыл бұрын
I don't bother to 'dry' the absorbent sheet but it don't drip. Just enough to be soaked but not dripping.. I think yours are the same? Only one strip in the new 5 frames ito the 10 fram Lans. =killed em dead.
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19242 жыл бұрын
really hope it keeps working. finally got my friend that runs commercial to try some, now I have to make more
@djg5853 жыл бұрын
I would be very interested in you weighing a small number of the after-soaked sponge strips to find out their average gross weight. I weighed mine. The fresh unused sponge strips weigh about 5 gm each. After soaking, the total gross weight was around 44 gm each. Subtract 5 gm, you get 39 gm. Divide by 2, you get 19.5 gm oxalic acid per strip. But what I don't know is, how much TOTAL oxalic acid per hive is desirable? I think I've seen numbers ranging from 14 to 50 gm per hive. Wish I knew the right answer.
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19243 жыл бұрын
Have you read Randy Oliver"s study? I am sure he has the numbers he used
@djg5853 жыл бұрын
@@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre1924 Yes, but I guess I should do it again.
@michaelhall79212 жыл бұрын
@@djg585 I had an Open stainless mesh floor since day 1. I love counting the dead mites but I'm surprised at the erratic numbers. I'm not worried at all about that. I am confident as you say the oxalic acid + glycerine strips are the best thing and are indeed the silver bullet........ My oh My what a beeeautiful day ----- why Cux The bees are flyin but the MITES are dyin..... If you take note from them who knows them damn varroa mites'll die in droves......
@michaelhall79212 жыл бұрын
Ok = I'm eighty one but believe in me them varroa mites'll soon be gone.
@donaltland795721 күн бұрын
any problems with the maximizer pads being fire retardant?
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre192420 күн бұрын
I dont use these sponges any more, they fall apart and cost to much. I cut strips from water mats from a company called new pig. I have not seen any adverse affects from them
@jamesgearhart72153 жыл бұрын
WHERE DO YOU PLACE THE STRIPES ON A DOUBLE DEEP HIVE BODY, ON TOP OR BETWEEN THE 2 HIVE BODIES THANKS JIM
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19243 жыл бұрын
You use one strip for five frames. And lay them on top of the frames. So a double deep brood chamber would get four strips to across the top of both box frames
@1philliph2 жыл бұрын
@@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre1924 Nonsense. This has been proved to be ineffective. Strips go between the frames, end of story.
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19242 жыл бұрын
@@1philliph who has proven this? I have had mine on 120 colonies all year. my test results showed 2 colonies over 1% varroa the first of Aug. if they go between the frames all the OA runs out of the sponge in very quickly
@joannefaulkner96093 жыл бұрын
LOL! You’re so funny Harris!
@dolezalhoneybees93292 жыл бұрын
When you cut the sponges into 3 strips, I assume you put all three strips in a hive, and do you lay them together, or spread them out?
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19242 жыл бұрын
I dont use the sponges any more. I found a better and cheaper product. water mats from blue pig. I put 2 strips one inch in from the sides on each brood box. replace when they get dry. it will run down the frames some, and will kill brood it runs onto. that is part of what makes it work, the bees have to handle the clean up. look for mu big batch video, I think I talk about the new stuff
What size are your cut sponge strips & home many sponge strips are you soaking with your mixed solution
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19243 жыл бұрын
I found better sponges. water absorbent mats from newpig.com that hold up better in the hive. I did a video on a big batch I made using them. 1 inch or so wide, and you want them saturated, so different sponges will take different amounts. this is a tool that takes time to kill varroa. it is not fast acting. I would not use it now unless your varroa numbers are already low. if your numbers are high, hit them with something that will kill varroa under the cappings, then put these on to keep numbers down. I did a video on my observations of this you could also watch
@michaelhall79212 жыл бұрын
@@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre1924 Harris ---Right on.... Hardly any mites dropping now but I must admit as you say -IT AIN'T OVER YET..... but then again it might be later on.... best wishes in your commendable experimenting. What are the powers that bee 'hanging about at' as we say here in the UK?
@jamesgearhart72152 жыл бұрын
7/28/2022 how is treatment working out jim gearhart thanks
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19242 жыл бұрын
I am very happy so far. my mite count has been running at 1% or less on all hives I tested except 1 that was at 3 %. I will continue testing, and get a video out next week with my results
@adamsoutdoors2 жыл бұрын
I’m sure you can reheat the extra and pour it over some more sponges if need be. Looks pretty good though. Maybe have to try this.
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19242 жыл бұрын
sorry for the late reply, been out of town, way out. I have and do reheat and combine with the next batch. I found better sponges too
@catchemalive2 жыл бұрын
Have you done a alcohol wash testing after applying?? Thanks
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19242 жыл бұрын
I have done mite tests, I will have a video with the results coming out in the next day or so
@MD-lh5ln Жыл бұрын
Hello. I put the strips in this summer and i left them till now. You think the strips still work? Or should i do a winter treatment? Thx 🙏🙏🙏
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre1924 Жыл бұрын
I find they last about 2 to 3 months. I am using different sponges now. when they start to dry out they get lighter, thats when I replace them. some hives its sooner then others
@dcsblessedbees2 жыл бұрын
Just watched this again, you made a mess with will the splattering lol everything started floating hehe. I wonder if the congealed extra could be used the in a similar method as Thymol glop on top.
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19242 жыл бұрын
No I don't think you could use the congealed oxalic acid like thymol. Because as soon as they get it up to 95 or 100°, it becomes completely liquid. At which point it would just run to the bottom and down the frames. That's why it needs to be in the sponge. We got 34 tuna
@beemanandbeeboy23343 жыл бұрын
How effective is it? Where are you in the us?
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19243 жыл бұрын
the ones that were done right, seem to be low numbers. I had a few with the shop towels, I was going to change them out as soon as I made more, had some higher counts. I found the water sheets I used in my big batch video work way better, they dont fall apart and hold more stuff. I am in western Oregon
@davidryle11642 жыл бұрын
Pop over to Lowes or Home depot, grab one of those 60qt storage containers, it has high sides, that way, when you pour over the sponges you don't have to worry about splashing going everywhere, just my 2 cents.
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19242 жыл бұрын
I have moved way on since this was made. I cook it in a 15 gallon pot
@jamesgearhart72153 жыл бұрын
HOW MANY SPONGE STRIPS DO YOU PUT ON A 10 FRAME HIVE ? THANKS JIM
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19243 жыл бұрын
2 per 10 frames in the brood box. you dont need them in the supers
@mohamed1980hamoda2 жыл бұрын
hi can i use this method in winter please????
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19242 жыл бұрын
I do. Randy didnt get as good of results in the winter, but that is the time to do the vapor
@pomicultorul Жыл бұрын
thank you very much!
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre1924 Жыл бұрын
Please watch some of my later videos on this subject. this was the first one I did, and I found better sponges at a better price
@pomicultorul Жыл бұрын
@@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre1924 I watched them all, thank you very much for your efforts!
@framcesmoore2 жыл бұрын
ha good video 10 lb of oa and I assume 10 lbs of gly. laying 4 sponges /strips in each hive what would be the dose Randy just did a talk his dose is 4 strips at 25 grams each he cut the sponges into 4 strips his talk said the hive had 0 mites that the 4 strips were put into thanks and have a great day
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19242 жыл бұрын
I found sponges I like better. Watch my big batch. I don't know that the dose matters if the concentration is right. I believe it works like the drench, but over time. I found the sponges that held more worked better. Also not as well on a single if the bees couldn't get on top of the sponge. Like the lid was to close
@framcesmoore2 жыл бұрын
@@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre1924 Thanks have a wonderful day
@VaderSpade3 жыл бұрын
And to think I mixed mine outdoors with gloves on, Hmm. So, there is a VERY easy way to figure out just how much you need for the sponges you have on hand. It's called 'math'. Each sponge is meant hold 100 grams. I made a batch 1/2 as big as the one in this video. I used 5lbs of both Oxalic Acid and Vegetable Glycerin. The total of the two is 10 pounds which equals 4540 grams. So my batch was enough for 45 full sponges. I cut them in 1/2 (90, half sponges @ 50 grams ea) but the math still works. I wish I could post a picture because mine came out perfectly. No extra juice, no dry spots on the sponges. Randy Oliver calls for 1-4 half sponges per hive depending on strength. 1 for nucs, 3-4 for the strongest multi story hives. If you don't measure things out you may OD your bees. I don't think a little extra will hurt but I would not want globs running everywhere.
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19243 жыл бұрын
thats great math, I tend to not be that prepared. feel lucky to just have most of what I need. lol. Just ordered 50 lb OA and 5 gal. of juice, and 100 15x19 absorbant sponges that should cut down to 1000. time to make a big batch
@VaderSpade3 жыл бұрын
@@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre1924 Do you have a link to those 15x19 sponges?
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19243 жыл бұрын
@@VaderSpade newpig.com water absorbent pads www.newpig.com/pig-blue-absorbent-mat-pad/p/BLU101
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19243 жыл бұрын
@@VaderSpade they are 60% post consumer cellulose, should work fine
@jonathanlehr92063 жыл бұрын
I'd just drain it on a rack and keep it out of my eyes. Wash my arms while it drains. I used to get drenched in OA and water when power washing mahogany decks. Does a beautiful job on the decks by the way.
@judy74812 жыл бұрын
where's the best place to get the sponge materials?
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19242 жыл бұрын
I ever found one. they are quite pricey. I am doing them in larger batches now, and started using a water absorbent mat from New Pig
@judy74812 жыл бұрын
@@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre1924 Do the mats work?
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19242 жыл бұрын
@@judy7481 yes they seem to work great. Completely non-scientific study. The colonies that I left shop towels in, or nothing, had very high mite count. The ones with the water maps were low or zero.
@judy74812 жыл бұрын
@@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre1924 what do you do to get them apart. I made a batch with pig mats and left them in the shop to cool and they stuck tougher. Do you warm them to use them without destroying them?
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19242 жыл бұрын
@@judy7481 if you watch some of my later videos, where I use those, I found if the blue sides go together they dont stick as bad. I just work them side ways and they come apart. then I wrap them 10 to a bundle
@danakosmala4342 жыл бұрын
Where in oregon. I’m in Lebanon. It’s March 5th. I was going to do this tomorrow. How long do you leave the sponges in?
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19242 жыл бұрын
I am in Amity. 6 miles South of McMinnville. these sponges break down after a few inspections. I am using a different sponge now, a water absorbent mat I get from New Pig. they seemed to do fine. leave them in 6-8 weeks, then replace them. they work over time, not a fast knock down
@olddave48333 жыл бұрын
so how long can they be stored
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19243 жыл бұрын
these sponges seem to get brittle over time. look at my big batch video, I use a different pad, i like it better. but the product should not go bad, its acid. that said I wouldnt make up a 10 year supply
@BackBeeBrokenBeekeepingАй бұрын
Per Randy Oliver, once mixed and in the sponges you can keep them for two months
@honeyspoonbeewrangler45503 жыл бұрын
How long will the extra in a jug last? I only have two hives. Wonder how many strips and the needed weight 1:1?
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19243 жыл бұрын
No reason the extra in The jug would go bad. It's an acid solution not volatile. Everything I have seen calls for two strips in a 10 frame box, one with five active frames. The new sheets I'm using are quite a bit larger and easier to get on and off the frames. I am doing varroa checks now, and finding one to two in colonies with the strips. Seven to eight in the ones I missed
@honeyspoonbeewrangler45503 жыл бұрын
@@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre1924 thank you much!! Have you heard of using dry wall paper instead of sponges? Any outcome if you did?
@olddave48333 жыл бұрын
can they be put in the hive in any weather. hot ect..
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19243 жыл бұрын
yes. they dont let off any fumes. there are some reports that it isnt working as well in really humid areas
@olddave48333 жыл бұрын
@@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre1924 here's what I'm thinking, I always use the wand and wood bleach 5 times in each hive.. every 6 days, this yr I may just use the wand 3 times and put a sponge in about the first week of October and leave it in there when I winterize the hives. I would take out the sponge on a warm day in Jan, (if we have one) and put in a fresh sponge til spring..
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19243 жыл бұрын
@@olddave4833 I dont know where you are, but here in the northwest you need to have varroa under control by mid sept so the winter bees are healthy. here they go broodless in nov, and that takes care of varroa, but not the damage they did to the winter bees that were made in sept and oct.
@celestamenges8827 Жыл бұрын
Anybody figure out proportions of glycerin and oxylic per hive box
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre1924 Жыл бұрын
Randy Oliver has some numbers he used, but I don't think that matters. I don't measure the amount that goes into the sponge, it absorbed as much as it can take. I use different sponges now, and they are not all the same size
@dcsblessedbees2 жыл бұрын
Oh maybe I didn't buy to much after all, I just got my 15lbs of OA, thinking 5lbs batch? Crap I didn't get "wood bleach" whats that? Was gona get ahold of ya to help figure out amounts I should make. My pads and glycerin will be here this next week, I'll get my OA-vap the end of the moth probably. I wana be sure to be on top of all this, though I'd get the strips made and in by this next weekend.
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19242 жыл бұрын
wood bleach is OA. 5 lb should take care of you for a long time
@dcsblessedbees2 жыл бұрын
@@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre1924 5 lbs was 28 and 15 was 38 i think it was so it was a price break thing. how much glisserin to the 5lb? I got a gallon jug? I'll go and watch your videos again.
@michaelhall79212 жыл бұрын
Did you see Randy's latest (just seen it) 2022 March paper?
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19242 жыл бұрын
no, was it results from winter testing?
@michaelhall79212 жыл бұрын
@@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre1924 Thanks for your replies..... I look forward to hearing from you and really hope you do OK with this silver bullet (well that's what I've found) I've pulled the strips out of the big colony but will put a fresh on in as soon as I can shift the honey super. It's a Flow type and they are filling it fast. I think the 2022 report is for March. It gives a comprehensive data on the 1 to 1 etc. I never thought before now but due to the Multi brand yellow absorbent 'cloths' being cheap here in the UK I may experiment with double thickness because the devastation caused by the thicker Capillary mat = 1/8" thick I wonder if the efficiency was caused by the extra stuff in it?
@michaelhall79212 жыл бұрын
@@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre1924 It was March 22. he says he is still experimenting with different absorbent materials. I suppose you could triple the layers if it was thought it would deliver more stuff?
@1philliph2 жыл бұрын
@@michaelhall7921 You could but that would infringe a US patent
@michaelhall79212 жыл бұрын
@@1philliph What I was in Argentina ..... would that be OK? What if I considered that any beekeeper can spray oxalic acid directly onto any bees with a used washing up liquid bottle but that by administering the acid by another route which is highly efficient? would that not make me very considerate for the bees to save them from a horrible death? Several Argentinian Biologists since 2015 have published that the method is more effective than any other method re oxalic acid. I would think the thinking beekeeper is not as stupid as the powers that be think and a few beekeepers included. It's been well established that the oxalic acid does not get into the honey to show any rise in that acid. Perhaps many beekeepers who automatically love their bees will think hard about the situation which seems ridiculous to say the least.
@Bourbonsouth473 жыл бұрын
Bob Binnie just posted 3 videos on OA in a sit down with University of Georgia interesting to learn Argentina has this already in packs kinda like apivar
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19243 жыл бұрын
yes, I have been watching them. there will be lots more research done, and thats what we need
@michaelshelnutt35343 жыл бұрын
Yeah, the UOG crew was excited about those strips but discounted Randy Oliver’s shop towel/ sponge method 🤔
@ronaldburleson10993 жыл бұрын
@Rex Roberton where are you located.
@ronaldburleson10993 жыл бұрын
@Rex Roberton the humanity there is probably a lot lower then here in the south east. I think they think that is the difference. Between working and not.
@michaelshelnutt35343 жыл бұрын
@Rex Roberton excellent info. I just started with Bees back in May 2021, and the guy who got me started uses the shop towel method- the recipe I was given was 12 oz OA, 12 oz Glycerin, 1 oz water, and soak a half roll of shop towels. Replace towel every 45 days. He gets zero mite counts on his washes consistently. I dont know how much that breaks down to per towel, but it seems to be enough.
@БекзатИсабеков-х8п Жыл бұрын
Super okay
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre1924 Жыл бұрын
this was my first attempt at these. I have improved it, and it seems to be working well. check out the other videos I have on Oxalic acid
@gazinta2 жыл бұрын
We use this method exclusively until it stops working. Our bees have never been better looking, and this is the only thing we did differently. No more Tactik here, either. I hate that stuff.
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19242 жыл бұрын
I just put out a video with my test count. I'm impressed, the bees have never been healthier
@gazinta2 жыл бұрын
@@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre1924 on my other channel, I'll drop a video of what we're looking at. Just amazing.
@badassbees36803 жыл бұрын
Outlaw ...I'm actually innocent lol I'm not sold on this at all so hopefully you can say "John,you are wrong,it works" lol then I'll do it too lol
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19243 жыл бұрын
you might not be guilty, but your sure not innocent. time will tell on this method. sure be cool if it works
@badassbees36803 жыл бұрын
@@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre1924 yes it's be very, very cool!
@badassbees36803 жыл бұрын
@Rex Roberton I'm going to try it but I'm going to use sponges or something If it ain't wet it can't work I wouldn't think.. but you're not the first person to tell me that so let's be something to it I want to try... Plus I hate using the vaporizer I get that stuff all over my forehead my mask is soaking wet with sweat I still end up breathing a ton of it can't stand it so I'm definitely going to try it!
@badassbees36803 жыл бұрын
@Rex Roberton lol thanks ! I have some bees that handle em pretty good and some that don't so I've been trying to keep everything knocked back and low to have healthy winter bees,I got some dropping major brood frames right now, killing it so I'm really happy so far
@1philliph2 жыл бұрын
@Rex Roberton You will lose hives with OAV.
@BlanchardsBees3 жыл бұрын
sinner sinner 😄😄
@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre19243 жыл бұрын
Lol. You didn't have to watch the video to know that
@BlanchardsBees3 жыл бұрын
@@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre1924 😄😂
@williamgartner5167Ай бұрын
They have a permit from the EPA. You are committing a felony and I hope the EPA catches up with you.