> 1. the formic strips kill varroa on bees *and in cells* and fast as 
> opposed to the the amatraz strips which takes 42 days.

Up here, where we can use formic in any manner we like and many beekeepers 
use the Driloc-50 pads in pairs multiple times in spring and/or fall, almost 
no one relies on them for varroa control.  All the commercial beekeepers I 
know use Apivar once a year and the results are amazing.  Even then we see 
more mites than we care to see.

We have had the Mite-Away II available for a long time and, although many 
have used them, I know of nobody who would use them in preference to Apivar. 
Everyone hoped they would work, but many who have used them have been 
disappointed.

Although formic pads can achieve varroa control, doing that requires a 
*minimum* of four flash applications and the results are not entirely 
reliable.  Formic use is very temperature-dependant and unexpected 
temperature fluctuations can mean either inefficacy or brood damage -- or 
both.  Beekeepers use them as an adjunct to the strips, hoping to forestall 
resistance and to knock back any tracheal mites that might be lurking.

Formic pads can reportedly manage levels under around six percent 
successfully when used properly and the weather cooperates, but for whatever 
reason they reportedly seem to be unable to manage higher levels.

I'm not knocking formic.  It definitely has its place, and we are in the 
process of defending our current permissions, but I am quite puzzled by the 
amount of faith and hope that is placed on the new untried product, 
especially when there is ample information on proven formic applications of 
many sorts on several continents and many countries and the capabilities and 
limitations are well known.  Beekeepers with choices use formic, but usually 
not as a sole varroa control measure.

> 3. the formic strips can be used when supers are on which is a big plus.

Will that be on the label?  I personally doubt that there is any reason that 
it should not be, but I would be surprised if it is.

At present, there are several formic methods on the market which have good 
reports, at least by their developers: Mite-Gone and Apinovar.  Each uses 
generic, very inexpensive formic acid.

Canadian beekeepers intend to register generic formic for beekeeper custom 
applications.  Why can't US beekeepers get together to do the same?  Better 
still, why not get together on it? 

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