Formic Pro is a brood treatment and is most effective when placed in the heart of the hive. Temperatures Optimal treatment temperatures for Formic Pro are between 50°-85°F/10°-29.5°C.
Full Answer
What is formic pro used to treat?
Formic Pro is a polysaccharide gel strip treatment containing formic acid. There are two main benefits to using Formic Pro over other treatments: it is the only treatment that penetrates the cappings of brood cells to kill the mites reproducing within, and it can be used with honey supers on the hive.
How do you use formic pro treatment strips?
Place the treatment strips of Formic Pro directly on the top bars of the lowest brood box. The instructions give you several options for placement. Use the one that best fits your hive situation. If the bees are in the way, gently smoke them down first.
What is the best temperature for formic pro?
Formic Pro is a brood treatment and is most effective when placed in the heart of the hive. Optimal treatment temperatures for Formic Pro are between 50°-85°F/10°-29.5°C.
How do you use formic pro brood treatment?
Formic Pro is a brood treatment and is most effective when placed in the heart of the hive. Optimal treatment temperatures for Formic Pro are between 50°-85°F/10°-29.5°C. Remove entrance reducers.
Is Formic Pro effective?
Formic Pro has an 83-97% efficacy and kills mites under the cap. Treat during the Honey Flow. Formic Pro leaves no residues in wax or honey.
How long do you treat with Formic Pro?
In the USA, Formic Pro is registered with 2 treatment options, Option One: 14-day treatment and Option Two: 20-day treatment.
How do you treat Formic Pro mite?
1:443:28How to treat with Formic Pro to control Varroa Mites - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou take the second pad and lay it at the back. So that they're placed. One at the back one at theMoreYou take the second pad and lay it at the back. So that they're placed. One at the back one at the front. Then you take your inner cover put it back on the hive and your outer. Cover.
How often can Formic Pro be used?
Use Formic Pro as part of an integrated pest management (IPM) program. There are two treatment options when local thresholds are met: Option One: 2 strips for 14 days. Option Two: 1st strip for 10 days remove and replace with 2nd strip for an additional 10 days.
Can you leave honey supers on with Formic Pro?
Formic Pro is a polysaccharide gel strip treatment containing formic acid. There are two main benefits to using Formic Pro over other treatments: it is the only treatment that penetrates the cappings of brood cells to kill the mites reproducing within, and it can be used with honey supers on the hive.
Where do I put Formic Pro?
Always place treatment on bottom brood box. Formic Pro is a brood treatment and is most effective when placed in the heart of the hive. Optimal treatment temperatures for Formic Pro are between 50°-85°F/10°-29.5°C.
What's the difference between HopGuard 2 and HopGuard 3?
What's the difference between HopGuard II and HopGuard 3? HopGuard II and HopGuard 3 are made of the same beta acids, the difference is that HopGuard 3 strips remain wet longer in the hive and that increases its efficacy.
Is Apivar formic acid?
Another organic substance, formic acid (sold as Mite Away Quick Strips® or Formic Pro®) and Apivar®, a synthetic miticide, were 2nd and 3rd, respectively. The vast majority of 178 beekeepers surveyed used multiple miticides, a widely accepted practice to avoid developing resistance to one chemical.
When Should bees use formic acid?
Application Directions Specific to Season of Use: Spring and Early Fall Treatments: Use Formic Acid 65% for single or double brood-chamber honey bee colonies (bees covering 6 – 20 frames) in standard Langstroth equipment. Outside daytime temperature highs should be between 10 - 26ºC at the time of application.
What varroa mite treatment can be used with honey supers on?
formic acidOf the three products, formic acid (available commercially as Formic Pro) is the summer mainstay because it has two important features: It can be used when honey supers are in place and it kills varroa mites under brood cappings, meaning all of the varroa in the hive are vulnerable to it.
Is Formic Pro safe for bees?
Does Formic Pro Kill Bees? The use of Formic Pro or any mite treatment can result in the loss of some bees and/or brood. The truth is that colonies infested with mites are unhealthy compared to those without mite infestations. Treating a colony for mites causes stress on the bees.
Who manufactures Formic Pro?
NOD Apiary ProductsFrankford, Ontario – NOD Apiary Products is pleased to announce the USA registration of its newest all natural varroacide, Formic Pro™. The new product features a 24-month shelf life that distributors in the USA marketplace have been seeking.
Application Best Practices
THIS IS NOT A REPLACEMENT FOR FOLLOWING LABEL INSTRUCTIONS. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW THE LABEL FOR SAFE AND EFFECTIVE USE.
Option One: 14-day treatment
Lay two strips, staggering them so they lay flat and across the full width of the lower brood chamber, in the heart of the brood rearing zone, with approximately 2 inches between strips and 4 inches between the ends of the brood chamber and the outer edges of the strips. Follow the Application Options pictogram.
Option Two: 20-day treatment
On Day+0: Lay one strip across the frames in the center of the lower brood chamber, in the heart of the brood rearing zone. Follow the Application Options pictogram.
Treatment Guidelines
Monitor your mite levels throughout the beekeeping season. Treat with Formic Pro when mite levels reach the threshold for your area. High mite infestations may require more than one treatment.
How long does Formic Pro last?
Formic Pro has a two year (24-month) shelf life when stored as per label. Each product pail has an expiry date printed on the label, after which it is no longer legal for use. Check pail expiry date before purchase.
What is formic acid?
Formic acid is an organic acid that naturally occurs in honey. Formic Pro controls the vapour release of formic acid throughout the treatment period. By the end of treatment, formic acid levels in the hive reflect what naturally occurs in honey, when applied as per label.
How to keep pesticides from cross contamination?
Avoid heat, sparks, and open flames. Do not eat, drink or smoke in areas of use or storage. Use caution when opening the container, especially in warm weather (i.e.: open outdoors and stay upwind). Keep separate to prevent cross contamination of other pesticides, fertilizer, food, or feed.
Can you use Formic Pro on apiaries?
No. Formic Pro should be used to treat all colonies in the apiary at the same time to prevent reinfestation. If you are wanting to test the product on a small number of colonies, prepare the colonies in a separate yard for this purpose.
Do bees lay eggs on day 4 of Formic Pro?
There are often lots of eggs by day 4, and regular Formic Pro users note that queens lay throughout the treatment. The field bees continue to collect pollen throughout the treatment, so there are good protein reserves when the larvae need feeding. More brood mortality may be observed in colonies with high virus loads.
Where to put Formic Pro?
Place the treatment strips of Formic Pro directly on the top bars of the lowest brood box. The instructions give you several options for placement. Use the one that best fits your hive situation.
How many strips of Formic Pro are in a package?
But, you should follow the manufacturers directions for safety purposes and to get the best use out of the product. Each sealed plastic package contains 4 strips of Formic Pro. The standard treatment option is using 2 per hive. Therefore, a package is enough to treat 2 beehives.
What is the best way to kill varroa mites in bee colonies?
That’s not always easy. Among many treatment options, the use of formic acid is popular. The product Formic Pro is one popular way to control varroa mites in bee colonies.
How many formic acid pads per hive?
As clearly outlined in the instructions, there are 2 methods of using formic acid pads in the hive. One method (as demonstrated here) uses 2 pads per hive. The second method is slightly different. One pad is placed on the top bars of the brood box. 10 days later, that pad is removed and another added in its place.
Can you use formic acid for mites?
Treating for mites in the middle of a hot Summer has always been challenging for us beekeepers living in the South. The treatment instructions clearly caution against using formic acid for mite control when the daytime temps are above 85°F.
Does formic acid kill mites?
Formic Acid Kills Mites. Unlike many of the synthetic compounds created for mite control, formic acid is a simple organic acid. This natural component is found in many foods that we eat – even honey. Ants also contain formic acid in their bodies. However, this natural acid, can be powerful too.
Can Formic Pro kill bees?
The use of Formic Pro or any mite treatment can result in the loss of some bees and/or brood. The truth is that colonies infested with mites are unhealthy compared to those without mite infestations. Treating a colony for mites causes stress on the bees.
What is formic pro?
Formic Pro is a polysaccharide gel strip treatment containing formic acid. There are two main benefits to using Formic Pro over other treatments: it is the only treatment that penetrates the cappings of brood cells to kill the mites reproducing within, and it can be used with honey supers on the hive.
How long does Formic Pro last?
How do I use Formic Pro? There are two Formic Pro treatment methods: laying one strip across the frames for 10 days, two consecutive times (for a total of 20 days), or laying two strips across the frames for 14 days.
How long after a full hive inspection can you apply Formic Pro?
Wait at least 24 hours after doing a full hive inspection to apply Formic Pro. This also applies to removing supers from the hive. Do not manipulate frames or alter the size of the hive at all when applying the treatment. Wear PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) during application.
How many bees should be in a formic pro?
More information on placement in different hive setups (standard, all mediums, 8 frame) can be found below. Colonies should consist of at least 10,000 bees (or six deep brood frames).
How long does it take for formic acid to release?
The greatest release of formic acid occurs within the first three days of application . If the outdoor temperatures are very warm but you have a 3 to 5 day window of 70-84°F (21-27°C) weather, you could apply the treatment.
What to wear when using Formic Pro?
Wear PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) during application. Anyone who handles the Formic Pro pads should wear coveralls over a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, socks and shoes, acid resistant gloves (PVC, neoprene, or nitrile), and protective eyewear. Handle the pads downwind of you to avoid breathing in the vapors.
Where to place Formic Pro strips?
The Formic Pro strips should be placed in the middle of the brood nest. Regardless of whether you are running double deeps, all mediums, or 8 frame equipment, locate your hive’s brood nest at the time of treatment, and place the pad (s) as close to the middle of it as possible.
