From Panic Mode to Prevention: Our Summer Oxalic Acid Routine

Don’t Wait for the Crash: Why NOW might be the time to treat with Oxalic Acid

By the time your bees show signs of mite damage, it’s already too late. But the good news? You don’t have to wait for that moment.

Mid-to-late summer (right now for many beekeepers) is one of the most strategic windows of the year to get ahead of varroa mites. If you’ve already pulled honey supers (or are about to), you’re in a perfect position to begin a smart oxalic acid vaporization plan that can dramatically reduce mite loads before the damage sets in.

At Lorob Bees, we’ve tested this firsthand in our own yards and we want to share our recommended treatment regimen with you!

Oxalic Vaporization Every 3 Days, for 6-7 Treatments Total

Here’s how it works, and why we believe it can help protect your colonies long before emergency mode sets in.

A Note About Climate and Timing

Obviously, not every hive in the U.S. is on the same schedule.

• If you're in the South, you may have pulled honey earlier, or still have supers on.
• In the North, you might be mid-harvest or just starting to think about treatments.

Even within a single state, local forage and climate conditions can shift the calendar. So instead of following a rigid date, here’s what really matters:

As soon as your spring honey harvest is wrapping up, it's time to start planning your treatment cycle. Be prepared well before fall.

Don’t Just Guess -  Mite Wash First

Before treating, we always recommend doing a mite wash (we use the Easy-Check) on at least one or two representative colonies.

• It takes just a few minutes
• It gives you a real baseline
• And it helps you decide if and when treatment is needed

If your counts are high now (typically above 3 mites per 100 bees), you're in prime position to start vaporizing before those mites reproduce and spike into August and September. Note that EPA certified Oxalic Acid, like EZ-OX, is approved for use while honey supers are still on, meaning you can treat even sooner if you notice a high mite count.

Why Treating Just Once Isn’t Enough AND Our Regimen

July (for us) is when mite levels can start quietly exploding. Your hive might look great- lots of brood, strong population - but inside those capped cells, mites could be multiplying fast.

Here's a simple chart showing what many of us have observed and the plan that works wonders:

Example Oxalic Acid Vaporization Cycle: What to Expect

Repeat this rhythm every 3 days for 6-7 treatments total (18-21 days). Continue cleaning and observing in between treatments to monitor mite drop trends.

For many years, this trusted regimen has been used by the masses. We speak to dozens of beekeepers daily throughout every season who swear by this same routine.

Oxalic acid only kills phoretic (exposed) mites - not the ones under capped brood. So unless you treat over the course of an entire brood cycle (about 18-21 days), the mites just keep emerging.

This method gives us a much greater sense of control and truly helps prevent the emergency fall treatment scramble we used to face.

Why Now Is Better Than “Later”

If you wait until late August or September to treat, you may already be too late. By then:

• Mites are baked into your capped brood
• Virus levels (like DWV) can spike
• Queens can falter
• Winter bees are raised under stress
• You’re playing defense, not prevention

Treating now = treating your future bees. 

Tools We Use (and Recommend)

• InstantVap Oxalic Acid Vaporizer: Obviously our go-to for fast, cordless, battery-powered treatments. There are 3 models available here.
• PPE: Always wear proper safety gear. PD101 Full Face Respirator.
• Mite Monitoring: Alcohol wash kits, bottom board debris checks, and a sharp eye on bee health. Easy Check Mite Wash
• Oxalic Acid: Use only EPA-approved oxalic acid products like EZ-OX for the most trusted results.

Final Word: Think Ahead, Act Now

The bees you treat today are the bees that will carry your colony through winter.

Doing a mite wash, then starting a structured OA vaporization regimen now, rather than waiting for damage-control, is one of the smartest decisions you can make as a beekeeper.

Your future self (and your bees) will thank you come late winter!

Happy Beekeeping from the Lorob Bees Team