Formic acid, experiences of Canada

[Finman]

by Jean-Pierre Chapleau
November 2003
revised February 2010


Between Fall 2002 and Spring 2003, Quebec’s beekeepers witnessed a carnage in their apiaries. Varroa was discovered as developing a resistance to fluvalinate (Apistan). 50% of the colonies in the province were lost. Many surviving colonies were weak and highly infested. What to do? A lot of beekeepers saw formic acid as the best alternative.

HOW TO DO IT and what to learn

The whole paper: http://www.apinovar.com/articles/flash.en.html

 

[RoofTops]

Finman,

Very interesting paper. I have used formic acid before and finding the best way to apply it was difficult as there are so many methods.

The Canadian method, putting it on the varroa tray, looks easy and reliable.

 

[ebee]

Finman.
This is an excellent article on a method I am interested in but have not yet used. Does anyone else use this method and what experience did you have? I have heard stories of high queen losses. Thymol is ok but takes a long time, colonies are reluctant to take on winter stores and the queen often stops laying for a period just when winter bees should be produced. On the face of it flash formic acid could be a better bet especially on colonies returning from the heather.