OA vaporizer

General Discussion of Diary Posts and Questions on Beekeeping Matters
Post Reply
User avatar
Kens
Forum Regular
Posts: 15
Joined: February 27th, 2015, 8:28 pm
Location: 51*33'10"N 113*38'3"W

OA vaporizer

Unread post by Kens »

The current varroa postings in the diary are concerning.

Can an OA vaporizer be used in a hive with EPS boxes and plastic frames? Someone on this forum must have tried it. The melting point of the material is not very high but the source of the heat is small and the time at temperature is brief!

I see the one sold in BC says not recommended for use in "styrofoam" hives.
Allen Dick
Site Admin
Posts: 1824
Joined: February 25th, 2003, 10:09 pm
Location: Swalwell, Alberta
Contact:

Re: OA vaporizer

Unread post by Allen Dick »

There should be no problem with EPS hives unless the floor is also EPS. A plastic floor could melt, but wood floors are no problem and I have used entrance-type evaporators without issues. Clearance from floor to the bottom of frames can be an issue with some shallow floors or if there is wax on the bottom of frames.

I do not recommend EPS floors for many reasons, but some people like them.
Allen Dick, RR#1 Swalwell, Alberta, Canada T0M 1Y0
51° 33'39.64"N 113°18'52.45"W
http://www.honeybeeworld.com/Allen%27s%20Beehives.kmz
Forum owner/janitor
---
Customise your experience at Honeybeeworld Forum at your User control Panel
Change the appearance and layout with your Board Preferences
Please upload your own avatar picture at Edit Avatar. It's easy!
Return to main diary page
User avatar
cgybees
Forum Regular
Posts: 23
Joined: May 26th, 2015, 4:19 pm

Re: OA vaporizer

Unread post by cgybees »

I've seen a number of people creating home-built vaporizers out of diesel glow plugs and a metal dish they've drilled a hole in. Not sure what the temperature control on a rig like that versus the official vaporizers is like, but sure seems attractive when you talk about a cost difference of more than $150.

Any comments?
Allen Dick
Site Admin
Posts: 1824
Joined: February 25th, 2003, 10:09 pm
Location: Swalwell, Alberta
Contact:

Re: OA vaporizer

Unread post by Allen Dick »

I have a bunch of them on hand here. Could lend.

Shoulda used them.
Allen Dick, RR#1 Swalwell, Alberta, Canada T0M 1Y0
51° 33'39.64"N 113°18'52.45"W
http://www.honeybeeworld.com/Allen%27s%20Beehives.kmz
Forum owner/janitor
---
Customise your experience at Honeybeeworld Forum at your User control Panel
Change the appearance and layout with your Board Preferences
Please upload your own avatar picture at Edit Avatar. It's easy!
Return to main diary page
User avatar
cgybees
Forum Regular
Posts: 23
Joined: May 26th, 2015, 4:19 pm

Re: OA vaporizer

Unread post by cgybees »

I've got my own vaporizer, but like you, last fall other life issues interfered and I didn't treat in time to prevent both my hives from dying out due to mite loads. The difficulty in trying to mite-treat with OAV in my top bar hive was the final nail in the coffin for my top bar experiment. This year it's all langstroth. Live and learn.
Post Reply