Brian Tassey,
 
    In response to your two postings;
 
    1.  For several years, work has been done on developing a 'gelled
    Formic Acid' formulation in order to reduce the applicator's exposure,
    and have a prolonged, slow release application of FA.  This was
    initiated and supported by MEDIVET Pharmaceuticals of High River,
    Alberta (ph. (403) 652-4441 / fx. (403) 652-3692).
 
    There have been several collaborators with the testing, but the
    principal investigator has been my colleague, Kerry Clark in Dawson
    Creek ([log in to unmask]).
 
    Although the product is not ready for releasr at this time, you may
    contact these parties directly for more information.
 
 
    2.  Amitraz is undoubtedly very effective in controlling mites.
    However, its toxicity profile and the nature of this product would make
    me think twice ever to use on my bees.  In 1990, I wrote a short
    article on the product in response to the concern that Amitraz was
    going to be used in similar fashion as has been reported on Apistan in
    northern Italy; dipping plywood or cardboard strips in a solution.
    Amitraz is an incomparably more dangerous substance than some of the
    pyrethroids and I am not so surprised that the product is no longer
    legally available for use in bee hives.
 
 
    Paul van Westendorp                 [log in to unmask]
    Provincial Apiarist
    British Columbia