Oxalic Acid Dihydrate – Updates
February 20, 2026
Oxalic Glycerin Strips Now Approved in Canada for Varroa treatment
Press Release – Press Release – Oxalic Glycerin Strips Now Approved in Canada for Varroa treatment – Feb 20 2026
Label: Oxalic Label Updated 2026 – new
The Canadian Honey Council is pleased to announce that it has received registration approval for an important new method of treating honey bees for varroa mites.
The new method, using glycerin and cellulose strips as a delivery method for oxalic acid dihydrate crystals, was recently approved by the Canadian Pest Management Regulatory. The CHC applied for the registration as part of its long-standing tradition of supporting Canadian beekeepers with access to effective treatments and medications.
As part of the registration No. 29575, the CHC also received renewed approval of two other methods of applying oxalic acid dihydrate; sublimation (vaporization) and liquid drizzle. The registration is valid for five years until December 31, 2031.
The new open-source method is available for immediate use, and detailed directions for application in both English and French, are contained in newly published label information.
The new and costly registration legalizes what had been an off-label use by some beekeepers, and for which PMRA had advised it would suspend potential investigation and fines while the CHC application was being considered. The CHC invested about $70,000 in the development and registration process and was greatly assisted by the Ontario Tech Transfer Program and several researchers and beekeepers.
“This new application method will give Canadian beekeepers an important new tool in their efforts to control the varroa mite, which can also carry deadly viruses,” said Jake Berg, the Chair of the CHC Board of Directors. “The CHC, as the national organization representing beekeepers across Canada, sees this as money well spent.”
The association is continuing to work with PMRA on several other regulatory files related to oxalic dihydrate, including a technical review of the CHC’s original application.
The registration of oxalic dihydrate use for combatting varroa mites follows on the CHC’S registration of another important treatment, fumadil-b, (also known as Fumagilin) which is used in treating for nosema, a microsporidian spore that can seriously infect honey bees. The CHC licensed the use of its fumadil-b registration to Vita Bee Health Canada, which markets the formulation under its own label.
The approved label directions and information for using oxalic acid dihydrate in all three approved forms will be published on the CHC’s website at https://honeycouncil.ca/ as well as at pr-rp.hc-sc.gc.ca/1_1/view_label?p_ukid=414517267
For more information, contact Rod Scarlett, Executive Director, 877-356-8935 or email chc-ccm@honeycouncil.ca.
March 26, 2025
Information update to distributors from the Canadian Honey Council
March 26, 2025
Recently, the Pest Management Review Agency conducted an inspection of certain facilities that sold Oxalic acid dihydrate for which the Canadian Honey Council is the registrant. Deficiencies were found and the CHC is notifying distributors of the deficiencies that were identified. All or none may have been found at your location, but we are trying to ensure that everyone is aware of the regulations and will be vigilant in making sure products sold are adhering to those regulations.
Please see a copy of the letter and attachments sent to distributors dated March 26, 2025. If there are any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Beekeepers are also reminded to purchase properly labelled product and be able to provide proof of purchase should it be required.
Rod Scarlett
Executive Director
Canadian Honey Council
Document including all attachments:
Oxalic Acid Dihydrate – letter from CHC with attachments
Individual documents:
Oxalic Acid Dihydrate – letter from CHC to distributors
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