FAM Dispenser for Acetic or Fomic Acid

Remove the lid, add the formic acid to the sponge cloth and close the lid. Once at the apiary adjust the opening of the disc in function of temperature and hive size. Place the dispenser upside down directly over the brood area. Best results are achieved with 2–3 cm space between the dispenser and the top bars of the frames. Adjust opening of the disc after day 2 following the instructions.

Treatment profile

Formic acid vapours act fast on Varroa. Varroa mite fall peaks on the second and third day. The use of formic acid may cause brood interruption. Vapours may cause some fatal damage to brood and emerging bees. Occasional Queen loss has been observed with shock treatment and at elevated temperatures. Formic acid acts only while vapours are generated and present. After the treatment vapours are removed by ventilating bees and the action stops. Since formic acid is soluble in water it will be found as residue in honey and nectar present during treatment also in capped honey cells. Feeding during treatment may lead to robbery.

Safety

Use safety goggles and protective clothing when working with formic acid

Introduction

Formic and acetic acid dispenser – a simple and helpful solution for your apiary.

With the arrival of September, the fight against Varroa enters a decisive phase. The last honey of this year is harvested from the hives and the nests are finally laid out for wintering. This is a good time to finally deal with the population of the Varroa destructor, which weakens the winter bee generation. It is also worth protecting the combs taken out from the hives against the destructive effect of the Wax moth. In both cases, a 130 ml acid dispenser offer may prove helpful.

Formic acid – an effective way to combat Varroa Most pharmaceuticals are expensive, so beekeepers are increasingly looking to find other solutions. Some of those are very effective and at the same time inexpensive to use. Formic acid has been known for years and proven in apiaries. It is an organic chemical compound, namely carboxylic acid. The biggest advantage of its application is that it fights Varroa destructor not only on bees themselves – like other medications – but also those hidden inside the sealed off comb cells. Due to the shortened foretical phase of the pests, this factor proves crucial. The 85% formic acid treatment, if carried out correctly, is safe for bees and is highly effective in reducing varroasis.

Acetic acid – a way to keep honeycombs in storage

The returning challenge that beekeepers face every year is to keep the withdrawn frames safe in storage awaiting their re-use in the hives. The stock of those frames is a valuable resource. It allows bees to start collecting honey faster, which is especially important in the early stages of the season. Unfortunately, combs which are not cared for by a bee family often fall prey to the Wax moth. The larvae feed on them, destroying them over time to the point where they cannot be used again in the hives. One way to protect the combs is to apply acetic acid to them. Its concentration in the air makes the pest activity to cease. Several days before these frames are planned to be placed back in the hive, they need to be aired, as the smell of the acetic acid on them discourages bees from getting near the combs and thus from using them.