Queen Mortality using Formic Pro
With the cooler temps the next week or so, I am getting ready to do an application of Formic Pro. This is my first time using Formic Pro and the thing that I'm worried about is killing off my queens if I do the 14 day, 2 strip application and I wanted to get some input on the matter. If I don't do the 2 strip application, I know it won't kill the mites under the brood cap, which is also a problem.
I do plan on doing the following no matter if I do the 20 or 14 day application
1. open the entrance to the full width of the hive
2. close off the screened bottom board
3. Add an empty supper with frames on top to give room for expansion and to concentrate the fumes a little higher.
4. Close off the inner cover hole to make sure the fumes just don't go up and out of the hive.
My hives are doing well and the queens are laying good. The last two weeks I have been applying OA vapor to the hives to maintain the mite count. As I said, I am worried about losing my queens because I lost them all last year but I used ApiVar.
Should I just continue using the OA vapor, do a 20 day Formic Pro Application or a 14 day application.
Any advice or guidance would greatly be appreciated.
Thanks
Jeff Hawker
Jeff,
Formic Pro's advantage to killing mites is that the acid penetrates the cell capping and kills the mites in the cells. However, this late in the season, the queen is typically not laying eggs and therefore there are no capped cells, so using a strong Formic Pro is not really needed.
If you have been treating with OA you should be fine until early spring and use your Formic Pro after the queen starts to lay her eggs.
Bee Safe,
Dave
EAS Certified Master Beekeeper