> [Doubts claims that] MAQS have a unique 
> ability to kill mites in the capped brood...
> ...As a chemist, my opinion is that there is 
> no justification for [the claims]

> ...it is reasonable to assume that while they 
> are wrapped in plastic, the formic acid is 
> going to slowly diffuse out of the packaging

I think that a more detailed explanation of the two statements above from a
chemistry major would be appreciated by all.  Why would something that can
diffuse through the fairly heavy plastic in which MAQS is sealed not able to
easily diffuse through very thin beeswax cappings? 

As far as storage goes, my guess would be that new, well-sealed gallon (or
5-gallon paint cans), available from any paint store for less than a buck
each (for the 1-gallon cans), would seal out oxygen, keep in the formic
acid, and limit deterioration of the formic acid pads to a minimum, but I'd
like to hear a chemist's views about this, too.

My understanding of NOD's claim was that they claim their membrane controls
the release of the formic acid, and thereby keeps enough formic fumes in the
hive for a long enough time to penetrate the wax cappings, and kill mites
"in the brood cells".  Their claim is that without controlled diffusion, (as
would be the case for MiteGone pads, sponges, shop towels, and European
plastic reservoir dispensers) the Formic level dissipates too quickly to
make it into the brood cells.  

I have not done the math to check any of this out, nor have I seen anyone
else work out the vapor pressures and such, and I remember doing problems
like this, but I've long since given away my HP-65.


 

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