Reflection on My Formic Pro Treatment Problems

a Canadian Beekeeper’s Blog

[vanderpoolfarmsl.l.c.]

Hives need to be well fed prior to treatment. This is critical. Treating a hungry yard, especially in spring can result in the scenario you describe. And you are right on about the changes in pads with age. Pads right out of the freezer give a longer, more even treatment. Pads near or over expiration begin to sweat in the package. This results in a BANG of initial flash as well as strips that are harder to separate at times. I think the older pads are better for single pad treatments with shorter intervals.
Ian, why don't you come down to Oregon this fall and attend our conference where you can visit with beekeepers that have many, many years of experience using this stuff. No need to re-invent the wheel. Bring the family; we would love to see you again!

[stephenbird]

In Germany we have used formic for a long time, what we believe kills queens is sudden shock of formic fumes, one way to reduce this with formic pads/sponges is to freeze them before application. As they defrost/warm up it takes a while before the formic starts to evaporate and the hive has time to adjust to the fumes.

[HoneyStoneFarm]

I used Formic pro the last three years always on top of second box 2 strips fully open entrance. I live in NE PA. Just under 10% queen loss. A 10% colony loss in winter, lows around -20F. Before using formic near 50% loss using Apivar and OAV.

[bluewingfarms]

Yay. I will be really interested to see what happens if you put the pad on the top box instead. I vote yes 👍✅
I am so happy you are doing this. I have watched so many videos about formic acid and it scares me. You are SO honest! I really Appreciate that!!

[rayheeringa]

We always treat our bees with an empty honey super on. This adds more room for the acid to expand. Especially on the first day of treatment. Also we always treat the girls late in the day so the temp is a little cooler on the first day of treatment.

[wildbadrehna]

I am near Wisc Rapids Wis and do formic at the end of august or early sept when temps are good . 2 formic pads on top of 2nd box under queen excluder with honey supers on . smaller colonies with 1 box or 2 boxes still get 2 pads on top and then I add an empty deep on top of those . no upper ventilation on any hive . I put formic pads on later evening . I leave supers on for at least a week or more .

[MikeBarryBees]

So many variables with the different treatments and all require careful thought for sure. Our heat limits us so much down here. It’s a challenge all the way around for all beekeepers. I can experiment as needed, but I feel for you guys having to work out treatments within the very livelihood that feeds your families.

[Fishpistol]

I have used formic and always liked it. Works well on the brood and below the caps. I ALWAYS vent when I do it and I have supers on. I know others have put in shims at the top. I put in a screen board with a vent. I also have screened bottom boards. I just think if they can't air it through the hive it overwhelms them.

[tonyfox]

In uk the advice is give an extra box for space. So if you had 2 boxes in use i am unclear if i would have added a 3rd box for that space. I think space is key.

[researcherAmateur]

Exactly. You have to try to find how to use it. In my opinion your conditions are great for it. My problem is that l never tried that product.. always used my own methods for formic.
People will drive you nuts with their opinions but nobody tried it.. they all whayting on you to see what happens. The place for formic was always the top of the double box. But we do use a little bit of a rim for better ventilation- circulation around the hive. Bees are masters of moving air. Maybe that's all the problem.. because we use it even at 29 -30c on top. I wish I had that pad in my hands. Good luck

[Beehivesto]

I use formic in my requeening process and drop in queen cells a week after the pad. Break the colony up into nucs with cells after the treatment. Only do formic in early spring or late fall with and anticipation of dropping in cells right after.

[keithsteele]

Please Ian, find out what happened in the hives, I'm in Australia, we haven't any experience, in varroa, like you do, so I do hope you work it out, your the best, I will wait for your results.

[jenohrasko]

Hallo Ian! What is the situation with the non formic hives at same time?
...as a comparison - open brood, cap brood, food, brood in the top, ect?!
Thanks the next video! 😉

[BeeBeorn]

My experience with formic acid ( autum application) got results like smaller hives goung in to winter and a lot of chalk brood in spring...and lost or damaged queens. Oxalic acid wapor is now my go to every year and Apivar or Apistan every 3d year. I have only varroa. And a lot fewer hives ...Max 120..and in a very remote area where reinfestation only comes from my own hives..But long outdoor wintering winters. Sweden, europe.

[TheFarmacySeedsNetwork]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and reflections on it, Ian, much appreciated!

[lenturtle]

Some talk about covering the top of the pads to slow initial evaporation .
Beeautiful bee day yesterday and horrible weather on fathers day .
Now that they are broodless maybe a couple oxalic treatments ??
Mites suck .
Keep the videos coming !

[beekeepersguideforpollenid]

Hello Ian
Good luck. I see that you're giving attention to the treatment this season more than any other season so wish best luck for you. In Lebanon we don't use formic acid, in summer we get some hot days where temperature may reach 33 degree Celsius. I alternate the treatment between oxalic acid and apivar after taking the honey supers, this gives good result because it confusing the mites.
Chemically formic acid is too sensitive for temperature, just getting few minutes of hot weather is enough to trigger the formic evaporation above the threshold.

[barrybidell]

Maybe add a 1/4" dowel under 1 side of your lid, to get some extra ventilation. Everything I've read, seems to suggest a top entrance to allow more air through.

[joeadams]

Having used it when it’s new and towards the end of its expiry date it is a different beast towards the end. It’s a much hotter treatment and results in higher Queen loss, the in the odd occasion I found the Queen on the outside of the hive.

[jorgklapp]

I think you did everything right temperature wise etc but I think you need to add more space by adding a third box
I love Formic with two strips it just cleans out the whole hive completely from bad queens, virus infested bees, larvae etc
After the treatment with two strips they bounce back incredibly strong and healthy!
I don’t care about some bad queen losses, I can replace them quickly but I can’t replace a whole virus infested colony