Acetic acid

[Mellifera Crofter]

I thought somebody (Jon or Jimbo?) said somewhere on this forum that acetic acid fumes are heavy and sink, so we should put the pad with acetic acid on top of the frames, and not below them.

Is that right? Unfortunately I can't find the original post.

Kitta

[gavin]

I do remember the comment but not who made it. Ted Hooper suggests placing the pad on the floor, but that was in the days before mesh floors. I doubt that the position matters much - convection will spread the fumes. Place the box(es) in a sunny spot to get the full effect.

Gavin

[Jon]

Probably was me made the comment as that is what I do. Can't remember where I read it but I think putting the acid up top is the best way to do it and the fumes are supposed to sink to the bottom. Ruary will have chapter and verse if he happens to see the post.

[Mellifera Crofter]

Thanks Jon and Gavin, I won't lose the info this time. I was going to put the hive in a neighbour's shed, Gavin, but I'll edge it towards a sunny spot.
Kitta

[gavin]

Maisemore also suggest loading a stack from the top with the acetic acid pad, citing the falling fumes argument.

http://www.bees-online.co.uk/downloads/Acetic_Acid_Fumigation.pdf

To be fair, Ted Hooper suggested a pad on the floor, then additional ones on the top bars if there are supers on top.

I still think that it will not matter too much. It will spread.

[Jon]

And you need to do it in a sealed unit, not something on an open mesh floor. You can stack up boxes and tape up the joints or put the stack inside a big plastic bag if you have one. The other thing to be aware of is that acid oxidizes metal so you might want to tape up metal runners if you have them. You will also get oxidization on any exposed wire in your frames. I use my correx boxes quite a bit as there are no metal parts to oxidize and the entrance is easily blocked with a bit of tape. I did all my apidea frames like this by stacking them inside the box.

[Mellifera Crofter]

Thanks again, Gavin and Jon - for the link and extra information. I'll now be able to do this fumigation with confidence. K

[gavin]

Be careful with splashes and with the fumes! I use a dustbin bag(s) as you get a better seal, even if you can't tie the top and end up using a roof to keep the folded-over top in place.

[Jon]

Be careful with splashes and with the fumes!

Treat is as you would concentrated sulphuric or Nitric acid in a lab.
It may sound like vinegar but vinegar is about 5% strength and this is 80%.

[Jimbo]

I agree with being careful with 80% Acetic Acid. We would normally work with this concentration within a fume cupboard, use gloves eye protection and lab coats. It is also good to have a bucket of water handy in case of any splashes or accidents.