How to Build an Oxalic Acid Evaporator

Oxalic acid is used by beekeepers for the control of varroa mites. Varroa mites are a parasite that sucks the blood from the bees causing a loss of productivity and ultimately the death of the bee, according to the Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. An oxalic acid evaporator delivers a vapor of oxalic acid to destroy the varroa mites. Commercial oxalic acid evaporators are available from apiary supply outlets but the device can be built from parts available at most hardware stores.

Things You'll Need

Copper pipe
Copper fittings
Propane torch
Teflon tape
Oxalic acid

Instructions

- 1
  Choose a design of oxalic acid evaporator. There are several designs available on the Internet. All are rather simple to construct of parts available from home outlet or hardware stores. The evaporator generally is made of two portions, a pipe that delivers the vapor to the interior of the hive and a magazine where the oxalic acid is held.
- 2
  Construct the distributor of copper pipe and fitting. The center piece of the piece is a 3/4-inch copper pipe about 3 inches long. Attach a fitting and threaded male connector to one end. This end will be turned into a predrilled hole in the hive. On the other end, fit an elbow with a female threaded opening. The magazine will be turned into this opening.
- 3
  Construct the magazine of copper pipe and fittings. The magazine is made up of just two pieces. A single piece of 3/4-inch copper pipe, about 3 inches long, is threaded at one end. This threaded connection should fit tightly with the threaded female end of the elbow of the distributor. The other end of the pipe is closed using a cap. The magazine is filled with oxalic acid before the distributor and the magazine are assembled.
- 4
  Determine the heating source. Most home-built oxalic acid evaporators use a propane torch as a heat source while some commercial evaporators use 12 volt electric heaters.