The Buzz Newsletter

May 2005

 

 

Page 8

Treating Mites With Formic Acid

The S.E. Iowa Beekeepers met on March 29th at Ron Wehrs. There was discussion and demonstration on how to treat with formic acid using Mite-Gone pads. They had 95% acid.

Protective gear is a must when handling formic acid. Here the acid is being siphoned from the original barrel to be diluted from 95% down to 65% for the treatment pads.

They had to dilute it down to 65%. Two parts of 95% acid to one part of water makes 65% acid. Note everyone working with the acid is wearing a protective mask. Proper protective gear is required!!!!

The pads (uncut) were soaked using 5 gallon buckets and the 65% formic acid.

The 65% acid container was positioned on a picnic table and poured into a five gallon bucket. The pads were not cut. They were stacked on end in a smaller bucket that would fit into the five gallon bucket. The smaller bucket had holes in the bottom so the bucket with the pads would sink into the acid. Then a lid with holes in it was placed over the bucket with the pads. The pads were then forced down into the acid. The acid will soak through the plastic film envelope that is over the pads. It takes about two minutes for the pads to become saturated with acid.

After the pads are saturated, the inner bucket is raised and the excess acid is allowed to drain off. The pads were then removed and placed in large zip-lock bags for storage. The bags were placed, with the pads on end, in plastic buckets. The bucket was sealed with a lid.

After soaking the pads were placed in ziplock bags.

When using the pads in the hive, they are secured to the outside comb with toothpicks next to the outer wall of the hive body. Temperature and humidity affect the evaporation rate of formic acid so length of treatment may vary. The hive also needs to be tight so the bees can’t exhaust the acid fumes. Under normal conditions the treatment takes 21 days.

 

Two of the cut pads are arranged for placement in the colony needing treatment.

Text compiled from information submitted by Jim Clark Pictures by Ron Wehr