> Below is the wording of the approved label for use of formic acid for
> bee mites in Canada. This label addresses the specific requirements of
> Canadian pesticide registration laws. To me it seems over-precationary
> in places, but that's the major orientation of these labels.
> After 2 years of experience with it, 2 situations have emerged
> that may warrant added precaution:
> One is to NOT apply formic acid while it has been heated by sitting in
> the sun. The resulting shock treatment to colonies, from the faster
> evaporation of the warmed, volatile acid, is currently the best
> explanation I can give, for the rare cases of up to 30 % of colonies in
> one yard, either behaving as if they don't have a queen for a few days,
> or actually killing the queen.
> The second would be a precaution to avoid applying the acid directly to
> bees sitting on the bottom board. Occasionally a beekeeper has removed
> supers, squeezing the bees into 1 1/2 or 2 brood boxes, then treated (as
> directed) on the bottom board, not noticing that the board was covered
> by bees an inch or so back of the entrance. A few thousand bees can be
> killed this way, and I would expect the treatment would be less
> effective, since the wetted bees stagger out the entrance, reducing the
> amount acting on mites.
> The label addresses the above situations as "slightly increased bee
> mortality or queen rejection, especially at temperature above 30 oC",
> but in practice it has been almost always unnoticeably small, with a few
> reports of queen losses, up to 30 %, or the fall bee drenchings. I
> advise beekeepers to try out their chosen detailed method, on a few
> colonies rather than committing their whole operation. That in itself
> would have avoided most of the problems.
> You'll have to use some imagination with this label, since the
> formatting and fonts etc are altered.
>
> The label also does not specify the prolonged or continuous-release
> methods that are in development, to reduce labour and avoid the hive
> shock problems.
>
>
> Kerry Clark, Apiculture Specialist
> B.C. Ministry of Agriculture
> 1201 103 Ave
> Dawson Creek B.C.
> V1G 4J2 CANADA Tel (604) 784-2225 fax (604) 784-2299
> INTERNET [log in to unmask]
>
>
>
>
> FORMIC ACID
> For treatment of honey bees infested with Varroa or tracheal mites
> For detection of Varroa mites in honey bee colonies
>
> COMMERCIAL
>
> DANGER - CORROSIVE TO SKIN AND EYES
>
> (Symbol: Octagon with skeleton-hand in beaker)
> Scheduled under the authority of the Pest Control Products Act
>
> READ THE LABEL BEFORE USING
>
> KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN
> GUARANTEE: Formic Acid: 65% (in water)
> ...Supplier's postal address ...
> NET CONTENTS:________
>
> Precautions:
> KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
> Corrosive to eyes and skin by direct contact or by exposure to vapors.
> Harmful or fatal if swallowed. Potential skin sensitizer. Do not get in
> eyes or on skin or clothing. Do not breathe vapors. Wear goggles or face
> shield, chemically-resistant gloves, apron and boots when handling
> liquid formic acid. Work outdoors, and always stand upwind of the use
> location. If a strong vinegar odor is encountered, area should be
> evacuated until the vapors have dissipated. When applying, do not eat,
> drink or smoke. Wash skin thoroughly with soap and water after
> handling. Remove contaminated clothing immediately if contaminated by
> splash or spill. Store and wash contaminated clothing separately from
> household laundry. To prevent accidental exposure, post appropriate
> signs to prevent opening of treated hives within 24 hours of
> application. Do not contaminate water supply, ponds, lakes or streams
> with this product. Formic acid will disturb colony activities and may,
> within one day of application, result in queen rejection or a slight
> increase in bee mortality, especially at temperatures above 30oC.
>
> Time of Application: Do not use when honey supers are in place, to
> prevent contamination of marketable honey or wax by unwanted residues.
> Use when outside temperatures are 10oC to 30oC and leave hive entrances
> fully open. In spring, treatment must be discontinued at least 2 weeks
> before the anticipated honey flow. Treatment may be applied in fall
> after the honey crop has been removed.
> Directions for Use:
>
> For two-story colonies (bees covering 8 to 20 full-size Langstroth
> frames or equivalent):
> For control of tracheal mites: Apply 30 to 40 ml of 65 % formic acid
> onto the bottom board or onto absorbent paper (three 15 cm square
> napkins or paper towels) placed on the bottom board or on the hive
> top-bars. Re-apply at 5 to 7 day intervals, for a total of three
> treatments. The absorbent paper pad remaining after the first treatment
> can be used again for subsequent treatments, or it can be replaced with
> another pad.
>
> For control of Varroa mites: Apply 30 to 40 ml of 65 % formic acid onto
> the bottom board or onto absorbent paper placed on the bottom board or
> hive top bars (top bar applications may be less effective for Varroa).
> Re-apply at 1 to 4 day intervals, for a total of three to six
> treatments.
>
> For control of both tracheal and Varroa mites: Apply 30 to 40 ml of 65 %
> formic acid onto the bottom board or onto absorbent paper placed on the
> bottom board or hive top bars (top bar applications may be less
> effective for Varroa).
> Re-apply at 4 day intervals, for a total of four to six treatments.
>
> For detection of Varroa mites: Place a sticky white paper covered by a
> 3x3 mm mesh screen on the bottom board. Apply 40 ml of 65 % formic acid
> to an absorbent paper placed on the screen or on the hive top bars.
> Check the sticky surface for fallen mites after 24 hours, and again
> after 3 days, when it can be removed.
>
> For one-story colonies (bees covering 4 to 10 full-size Langstroth
> frames or equivalent):
> Apply half the amounts indicated above, using the same method and
> timing.
>
> First Aid:
> IF ON SKIN: Remove contaminated clothing immediately. Wash affected area
> with soap or mild detergent and large amounts of water. If chemical burn
> develops, cover area with a sterile, dry dressing, bandage securely and
> contact a physician immediately.
> IF IN EYES: Wash eyes immediately with large amounts of water. Cover
> with sterile bandages. Contact a physician immediately.
> IF INGESTED: Do not induce vomiting. Drink large quantities of water or
> milk. If vomiting occurs, administer fluids repeatedly. Never give
> anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Contact a physician or
> Poison Control Center immediately. Take container or product name with
> you to the hospital emergency department or physician.
> IF INHALED: Remove person to a safe, uncontaminated area. If breathing
> has stopped, clear airway and start artificial respiration. Never give
> anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Get immediate medical
> attention. Take container or product name with you to the hospital
> emergency department or physician.
>
> Storage: Store in original container, in a cool, dry, well-ventilated
> area. Use caution when opening the container, especially in warm
> weather, as pressure may have built up. Avoid heat, sparks and open
> flames. Store away from sulphuric acid and oxidizing materials. Formic
> acid vapors are heavier than air, and may collect in low places, or flow
> to an ignition source and flash back.
>
> Disposal: Absorbent pads containing formic acid should be disposed of
> according to provincial instructions. For information on the disposal of
> unused, unwanted or damaged product and the cleanup of spills, contact
> the regional office of Environmental Protection, Environment Canada.
> Follow provincial instructions for any required cleaning of the formic
> acid container prior to its disposal. Dispose of the container in
> accordance with provincial requirements.
>
> Notice to User: This control product is to be used only in accordance
> with the directions on this label. It is an offense under the Pest
> Control Products Act to use a control product under unsafe conditions.
>
> (end)
>
Dear Kerry,
Thanks for taking the trouble tosend along some
very informative data.
Cheers from Maryland.
Jack the B-man Ellicott City founded 1772
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