Canadian beekeepers have been permitted to use generic formic acid for mite control for
many years with few restrictions under a temporary agreement.
That agreement was due to expire and although our national organisation, the CHC dropped the
ball, Ursula at Medivet picked it up and covered the cost.
Here are excepts from a letter granting approval and the label. (It seems that nothing is
permanent though, and that the bureaucrats have ensured that they can continue to
keep busy on this matter for a while yet.
(Medivet is the same firm which rescued fumagillin from expiring when larger companies decided that
it was not worth the bother and is well regarded for their helpfulness.)
--- begin excerpt from letter ---
Re: Sale and use of Formic Acid 65% for treatment of varroa mites and tracheal mites in
honey bee colonies
The attached label for Formic Acid 65% has been approved by the PMRA as it meets the interim
measure provisions under DIR2O 10-03, Reassessment of Note to the Canadian Association of
Pest Control Officials C94-05: Proposed Scheduling of 65 Percent Formic Acid for the Detection
and Control of Honey Bee Mites. Sale and use of Formic Acid 65% according to the attached
PMRA approved label is permitted in Canada. This remains in effect until the full review of Sub.
No. 2011-0943 by the PMRA is completed.
Please note that a change has been made to the label, and that the attached label supersedes the
version of March 15, 2011.
--- end excerpt ---
--- begin label ---
DIRECTIONS FOR USE
Do not apply while honey supers are on the hive. Complete the treatment before adding honey
supers to the hive, or remove supers from the hive before starting a treatment. In addition, for
treatments conducted before placing honey supers onto the hive, allow at least two weeks
between the end of treatment and the harvest of honey from the hive.
To control mites, a 65 percent solution of formic acid is to be applied onto the bottom board of
the hive or onto an absorbent material placed on the bottom board or the hive top bars, at rates of
30 to 40 mL per two-story colony or 15 to 20 mL per one-story colony. The treatment is to be
repeated up to six times at I to 10-day intervals for the control of honey bee tracheal mites and
varroa mites. Repetition of treatment at least 4 times is recommended if used as a stand-alone
treatment, but fewer can be used if part of an 1PM program.
For all formic acid 65% applications, all holes in the hive should be sealed except the bottom
hive entrance, which should be fully open for the entire duration of treatment, even for the late
fall treatment. Entrdnce reducers must be removed to prevent excessive damage to the colonies.
All bee colonies in the apiary should be treated at the same time to prevent cross-infestation of
colonies. Follow the additional use directions relative to the season of use.
To detect Varroa mites, a sticky paper covered by a 3x3 mm mesh screen is to be placed on the
bottom board of the hive and either 40 mL (for two-storey colonies) or 20 mL (for one-storey
colonies) of a 65 percent formic acid solution is to be applicd to an absorbent paper pad placed
on the screen or the hive top bars. The surface of the sticky paper must be checked for fallen
mites after 24 and 72 hours.
Spring and earlyfall: Use Formic Acid 65% for single or double brood-chamber honey bce
colonies (bees covering 6—20 frames), standard Langstroth equipment. Outside daytime
temperature highs should be between 10 - 26°C at the time of application. Temperatures above
30°C during the application period may cause excessive damage to the colonies. It is highly
recommended to remove the pads from the hives if temps above 30°C occur (i.e., when daily
temperatures exceed 28°C for several days) within the first 7 days of treatment, the period during
which most of the formic acid is released. Resume treatment by replacing the treatment on the
hives after the end of the period of high ambient temperatures. Failure to remove formic acid
from colonies during a heat wave may cause excessive brood mortality and absconding.
Up to 14 days of brood mortality may occur in the initial stage of treatment, with single brood-
chamber colonies being more susceptible to damage than double brood-chamber colonies.
Overall colony health should not be affected, and brood rearing should recover by the end of the
treatment period. Treatment of colonies with fewer frames of bees than recommended may result
in excessive brood mortality and even in colony mortality.
Late fall, winter (post-feeding, brood rearing minimal with less than half a frame of brood): Use
Formic Acid 65% for single brood-chamber honeybee colonies (bees covering 5— 10 frames),
standard Langstroth equipment. Treatment of smaller hives than recommended (less than 5
frames of bees) may result in excessive colony damage, leading over-wintering mortality. Due to
slower diffusion of formic acid, product is not effective on larger than single-storey hives in
cooler temperatures. Outside daytime temperature highs should be above 4°C at the time of
application.
Formic acid is corrosive to metal. Metallic materials, either inside the hive or those which get in
direct contact with the pads, may corrode. Do not place, even briefly, pads on metallic hive
covers. Consult provincial advisors for more information about the use of this product.
PRECAUTIONS:
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHiLDREN: Fatal or poisonous if swallowed. Irritating and corrosive
to eyes and skin. Potential skin sensitizer. DO NOT get in eyes, on skin or on clothing.
Avoid inhaling vapour. Known respiratory irritant. Handle in a well ventilated area. Work
outdoors, stay upwind, and wear cotton coveralls, chemical resistant gloves and chemical safety
goggles when handling, applying, cleaning up and removing pads.”
Use caution when opening the container, especially in warm weather. Have water readily
available for use if eye or skin contact should occur. Wash skin thoroughly with soap and large
amounts of water after handling. Remove clothing immediately if contaminated. Wash
contaminated clothing separately from household laundry. I)o not contaminate water supply,
ponds, lakes or streams with the product.
FIRST AID:
Take container, label or product name with you when seeking medical attention.
IF SWALLOWED: Call a poison control centre or doctor immediately for treatment advice.
have person sip a glass of water if able to swallow. Do not induce vomiting unless told to do so
by a poison control centre or doctor. Do not give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Take container, label or product name with you when seeking medical attention.
IF ON SKIN OR CLOTHING: Take off contaminated clothing. Rinse skin immediately with
plenty of water for 15-20 minutes. Call a poison control centre or doctor for treatment advice.
IF INHALED: Move person to fresh air. If person is not breathing, call 911 or an ambulance,
then give artificial respiration, preferably by mouth-to-mouth, if possible. Call a poison control
centre or doctor for further treatment advice. Take container, label or product name with you
when seeking medical attention.
IF IN EYES: Hold eye open and rinse slowly and gently with water for 15-20 minutes. Remove
contact lenses, if present, after the first 5 minutes, then continue rinsing eye. Call a poison
control centre or doctor for treatment advice.
TOXOCOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Treat symptomatically.
STORAGE:
Store product in original container in a cool, dry and well-ventilated area away from sulphuric
acid, oxidizing agents, and sources of ignition. Avoid heat, sparks, and open flames. Use caution
when opening the container, especially in warm weather. Do not eat, drink or smoke in areas of
use and storage.
DISPOSAL:
For information on disposal of unused, unwanted product, contact the manufacturer or the
provincial regulatory agency. Contact the manufacturer and the provincial regulatory agency in
case of a spill, and for clean-up of spills.
Ventilate perforated pouches containing used pads on site, protected from precipitation, for two
weeks prior to disposal via landfill or incineration. Open burning is prohibited.
NOTICE TO USER:
This control product is to be used only in accordance with the directions on this label. It is an
offence under the Pest Control Products Act to use a control product under unsafe conditions.
NOTICE TO BUYER:
Seller’s guarantee shall be limited to the terms set out on the label and, subject thereto; the buyer
assumes the risk to persons and property arising from the use or handling of this product and
accepts the product on that condition.
***********************************************
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