varrox evaporator instruction leaflet, as supplied by thorne

Varrox Evaporator Instruction Leaflet, as Supplied By Thorne

11/5/2012 12:22:12 AMhttp://www.dave-cushman.net/bee/oxalicthorne.html

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Also known as Varrox vaporiser

This Instruction leaflet is an electronic facsimile of an original, that was supplied, along with a Varrox evaporator, by the UK bee appliance dealer Thorne, the original picture was of too poor a quality to reproduce, so it has been replaced with a similar image. I haveno connections, with Varrox, BioVet or Thornes, nor do I promote or denigrate the use of this product. You should establish that it's use with the chemicals mentioned, is legal in yourown area or country and take notice of the warnings regardingoxalic acid. The whiteportion of this page is laid out in the same way as the leaflet and the text has been left uncorrected (it is a translation). Because the material used can be dangerous and the document below could be mis-interpreted, I have produced anEnglish version, I have attemptedto write it using UK terminology rather than translating the words. If, however, anyone reading my version does not agreewith my interpretation of the text below, please getin touch and the text can be changed, because that may help others to understand moredeeply.

The largehexagonal wings behind the evaporator pan are to ensure thatthe pan stays horizontal when inserted into the hive, this ensures that all of the oxalic acid crystals are evaporated andnone are spilled. The wings also act to dissipate the heat from the pan toavoid the handle getting too hot.

General license and distribution:Andermatt BioVet AG. Stahlem 1stten 6,



General license and distribution :Andermatt BioVet AG. Stahlem1stten 6,

CH-6146.GrossdietwilPhone ++ 41 62 917 51 10

Fax ++41 62 917 [email protected]

Information stand:March 2002

1. Appliance

The VARROX-vaporiser consists of a heater, a metallic suppo rt and 3 m of read with 2 battery- clips. It has an output or 150 W. The power source can either be an accumulator (car batter y. 12 volt, 12 ampere, capacity > 40 Ah) or a carcigarette lighter used with an extension lead.

Please note safety precautions ! Wear a protective mask !Minimum dimension of the entrance: 14 mm high and 90 mm broa dMinimum distance between bottom board and frames: 2 cm

2. Mode of action

Oxalic acid is filled in the pan, then the appliance is insert ed through the entrance of the hive. Due to the heating action of the pan, the oxalic acid liquefies and vaporises. Oxalic a cid vapour fills the hive and all the bees and surfacesare then covered with a very thin layer of oxalic acid crystal s. These fine crystals are tolerated well by the bees, but hav e a deadly effect on varroa mites.

3. Treatment

TimeThe treatment should not be made during heavy bee flight. Fur thermore, the temperature should not be below + 2°C. The use o f the VARROX-vaporiser is particularly suitable for the fol low up treatment in brood-free colonies.

Dosage

Type of hive Oxalic acid-dihydrate Measuring spoon* One-room-hive (e.g. warm way, one-storey) 1g 1 Two-room-hive (e.g. two-storey) 2g 2

*One spoon, filled loose and without pressing, corresponds t o one gram Oxalic acid-dihydrate. Each VARROX-vaporiser is supplied with a measuring spoon.

Placing the VARROX-vaporiserThe appropriate amount of oxalic acid-dihydrate is placed i nto the VARROX-vaporiser. Take care that the oxalic acid is n ot spilled when holding the VARROX-vaporiser at an angle or b y twisting it. Afterwards, the appliance is insertedthrough the entrance of the hive into the middle of the bottom of the hive, until the metallic support is fully inside. If be es are sagging over the pan, they must be strongly encouraged upwards with smoke. The treatment should only beused in hives normally occupied with bees. It must not be used at close range of wax (minimum distance 2 cm).Minimum dimensions of the entrance: 14 mm high and 90 mm bro ad. If insertion through the entrance is not possible becaus e of the construction of the hive, use the opening of the diagn osis drawer where possible. In that case, theentrance of the hive must be shut tightly.

Hint: Depending on the height of the entrance and the bottom of the hive, it is recommended to fit the VARROX-vaporiser in evenly by bending down both sides of the metallic support a fe w millimetres. The distance between thebottom of the hive and the heating element can be increased an d the source of the heat is taken off the bottom.

Attention: Due to the heating action of the pan, there is a da nger of melting plastified varroa bars and synthetic hives. The VARROX-vaporiser reaches temperatures of up to 300°C an d can create patches of heat on the bottom andframes.

Sealing up the hiveSeal the whole entrance (or diagnosis drawer) around the han dle of the VARROX-vaporiser using strips of foam or cloth. Op en floors should be shut tightly on the whole surface.

Duration of the treatmentAfter the hive is sealed up, the vaporiser should be switched on for 2 ½ minutes. As a rule, 2 ½ minutes are enough for the vapo risation of the oxalic acid. In the first colony that has to be treated, the heating time may be longer,because the vaporiser is still cold. An extra minute heating is required if using the extension lead.One of the battery-clips of the lead should be constantly con nected with the source of power using the contact of the secon d clip to switch the appliance on and off. It makes no differen ce if the plus or minus-poles are connectedaccordingly or not-the function of the heating is not reduce d.After switching off the VARROX-vaporiser, wait for about 2 m inutes before the appliance is pulled out, so that the oxalic acid-vapour can settle down. Once removed, ensure that the e ntrance of the hive is shut tightly again and leftshut for another 15 minutes. After taking out the VARROX-vap oriser, it should be cooled in a bucket of water, so that with t he next use, no vaporisation begins before the appliance is i nserted into the hive.

Hint: With the use of several VARROX-vaporisers, bigger ap iaries can be treated more time-effectively.

4. Oxalic acid-dihydrate (Oxalic acid-crystals) Oxalic acid is an unhealthy, toxic and corrosive substance. When filling the VARROX-vaporiser and during the treatment , it is absolutely necessary to wear protective glasses, aprotective mask (FFP 3 S/L), gloves and long-sleeved clothe s.

Working safety

Handling of oxalic acid

Oxalic acid can cause damage to health With both skin contact and if swallowed. Avoid contact with eyes and skin.Vapours and dusts of the oxalic acid should not be inhaled.Keep oxalic acid out of the reach of children.Oxalic acid must be stored in its original container (with law-concurring labelling ) in a safe place .



Oxalic acid must be stored in its original container (with law-concurring labelling ) in a safe place .

In the case of eye contact, immediately wash the acid out with water. If ingested immediately go to a doctor.

Working safety during the treatment

Treatments on colonies in a beehouse must only be made from ou tside through the entrances of the hives. During the treatme nt, the beehouse must be well ventilated. No person must be in side the beehouse.With treatments of apiaries in the open, take care that the wi nd blows any escaping oxalic acid away from the user. The whol e length of the lead should be used and the user should stay awa y from the hive.The foam material used for sealing the hive must be handled wi th gloves. This avoids contact with the acid where it may have condensed on the inner side of the foam. The foam material mus t be washed out carefully with waterbefore putting away.After the treatment in the winter, oxalic acid-crystals are found on the bottom of the hive. This can be due to the absence o f bee cleaning activity as found in the summer. Caution is the refore needed if mite fall is controlled aftera treatment in the winter. Gloves and a protective mask shoul d be worn. The rest of the oxalic acid will break down to water a nd carbon dioxide and will be cleaned by the bees in spring.The VARROX-vaporiser is a powerful heater that generates hi gh temperatures. The vaporisor must not be used near easily i nflammable materials. Always put the vaporiser on a sheet of non-flammable material (i.e. metal). Nevertouch the metallic part of the vaporiser when in use. Caution : metallic parts may be hot for a long time after use. The vapor iser must never be switched on without supervision.

Purchase of oxalic acid-dihydrate

For the treatment, oxalic acid-dihydrate (C2H

2O

4x 2 H

20) CAS-No. 6153-56-6. EG-No. 205-634-3 has to be used. Norma lly available in pharmacies.

5. Concept of control

Treatment in brood free coloniesThe VARROX-vaporiser can be used in brood-free colonies, no rmally seasons without honey flow. With the VARROX-vaporis er a very good efficacy of > 96% can be reached and thus it can de cimate the varroa-mite-population reliablyto a very low level. Thereby, optimal preconditions for the n ew season are created for the bees.If there is a mite fall of more than 1000 varroa mites caused by the treatment, or if it is uncertain whether there was brood i n the colonies, a second treatment is recommended. The optim al time for it, is two weeks after the firsttreatment. Two or more treatments are very well tolerated by the bees.

Treatment of swarms / artificial swarmsSwarms and artificial swarms can be treated at any time.

Treatment of nucleusTreatment of queenright nuclei should be carried out before the brood is sealed, if possible. Attention: Queenless col onies react very conspicuously to the treatment with an incr eased activity in the hive and by leaving the hive.

Accessories

Protective mask FFP 3 S/LExtension lead (7m) with:

Plug for car cigarette lighterConnecting piece for the battery-clips of the VARROX-vapor iser

Electrical supply

The VARROX-vaporiser must be operated with 12 volts. 12 am pere and cannot be directly plugged into a socket of 110 V or 2 20 V.It runs on direct and alternating current. The following can be used as a source of power:

Car accumulator minimum 40 Ah (the accumulator and battery charger can be bought in DIY superstores)Car cigarette lighter with extension lead (see accessories )With a transformer (12 V 12 A)

The safety of the car cigarette lighter is usually good, enou gh for the capacity of the vaporiser (12 A or more). If the vap oriser is connected to the cigarette lighter for prolonged p eriods, the engine of the car may have to be runto avoid draining the battery.

Source of troubles

After the treatment there is still some acid left in the panHeating time is too short: Heat longer!Accumulator is weak and produces too low a capacity: Charge a ccumulator!Caution with synthetic hives and plastified varroa screens : With hives or varroa screens made of synthetic material, an isolation platter (minimum 4 mm thick) must be put under the appliance.Possible burr-comb, which is sagging from below the frames, has to be removed, so that it is not in the way of the VARROX-vap oriser or too close. Maintain a minimum distance of 2 cm. Cru mbs of wax on the bottom of the hive have tobe removed.

Warranty

Please, follow the instruction of use carefully. We do not as sume any warranty for wrong application, reasons of unsatis fied efficacy or possible damages that are beyond the contro l of Andermatt BIOCONTROL AG.

Beekeeper Protection

It cannot be stressed too stronglythat oxalic acid is an aggressive substance and needs to be treated with respect. Acid resistant gloves and goggles should be worn and an apron of the type used bymortuary attendants, along with wellington boots that havethe tops covered by gaiters so that any falling liquid cannotfall into the boot. A respirator that has specialised organic acid filtering will be required in

cases where the acid is sprayed or vapourised. Oxalic acid isalso poisenous to humans by ingestion.

Written... 02, 03 November 2005, Revised... 17 Augus t 2006,



Written... 02, 03 November 2005, Revised... 17 Augus t 2006,

varrox evaporator instruction leaflet, as supplied by thorne

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