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BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Ben Framed on June 28, 2019, 02:24:43 AM

Title: Formic Acid has Many Uses Including Varroa Treatment.
Post by: Ben Framed on June 28, 2019, 02:24:43 AM
Interesting?
https://youtu.be/tvYff2_N_6A
Title: Re: Formic Acid has Many Uses Including Varroa Treatment.
Post by: texanbelchers on June 28, 2019, 04:42:31 AM
Can't watch the video yet, but Randy Oliver has a bunch of info here:  http://scientificbeekeeping.com/the-arsenal-natural-treatments-part-1/ (http://scientificbeekeeping.com/the-arsenal-natural-treatments-part-1/)

Title: Re: Formic Acid has Many Uses Including Varroa Treatment.
Post by: BeeMaster2 on June 28, 2019, 12:44:45 PM
Ben,
I also cannot view the video. All I get is a black screen.
Jim Altmiller
Title: Re: Formic Acid has Many Uses Including Varroa Treatment.
Post by: van from Arkansas on June 28, 2019, 01:18:33 PM
I also obtain a black screen, disconnect from Beemaster when I click on video.
Van
Title: Re: Formic Acid has Many Uses Including Varroa Treatment.
Post by: texanbelchers on June 28, 2019, 02:26:24 PM
I finally had time to watch it.  I had no problem with a black screen on Android or Windows.   It is a good overview of Formic usage, but I'm not sure that is the best way in a hive.  Just be careful and safe; stick to the approved methods.
Title: Re: Formic Acid has Many Uses Including Varroa Treatment.
Post by: Ben Framed on June 28, 2019, 04:01:08 PM
Glad you got it TexanB, I do not know why the others can not. I was also able to pull it up on my I-Phone with no problem.  It is a youtube video and I used the copy and past method, on the computer when I posted it here, the same process as any other that I have posted in the past. One of those mysteries  :grin:
Title: Re: Formic Acid has Many Uses Including Varroa Treatment.
Post by: CoolBees on June 28, 2019, 04:58:28 PM
I had no troube with the video.
Title: Re: Formic Acid has Many Uses Including Varroa Treatment.
Post by: BeeMaster2 on June 28, 2019, 05:48:58 PM
I just got it to work on my iPad.
Good post..
Jim Altmiller
Title: Re: Formic Acid has Many Uses Including Varroa Treatment.
Post by: Ben Framed on June 28, 2019, 05:49:43 PM
Quote from: sawdstmakr on June 28, 2019, 05:48:58 PM
I just got it to work on my iPad.
Good post..
Jim Altmiller
Thanks Jim
Title: Re: Formic Acid has Many Uses Including Varroa Treatment.
Post by: BeeMaster2 on June 28, 2019, 05:52:58 PM
iTunes was probably blocking it until they could make sure that it does not help President Trump.  :angry:
Jim Altmiller
Title: Re: Formic Acid has Many Uses Including Varroa Treatment.
Post by: Ben Framed on June 28, 2019, 05:59:57 PM
Quote from: sawdstmakr on June 28, 2019, 05:52:58 PM
iTunes was probably blocking it until they could make sure that it does not help President Trump.  :angry:
Jim Altmiller

Haa haa very possible!! 😁
Title: Re: Formic Acid has Many Uses Including Varroa Treatment.
Post by: van from Arkansas on June 28, 2019, 11:53:44 PM
Agreed Mr. Ben.  Formic acid is said to penetrate wax.  But careful with day time heat, temps above 90F and Formic is more of a hawk than a dove.  Folks have killed hives due to hot summer temperatures and Formic acid placed in the hive.
Title: Re: Formic Acid has Many Uses Including Varroa Treatment.
Post by: Ben Framed on June 29, 2019, 12:47:12 AM
Quote from: van from Arkansas on June 28, 2019, 11:53:44 PM
Agreed Mr. Ben.  Formic acid is said to penetrate wax.  But careful with day time heat, temps above 90F and Formic is more of a hawk than a dove.  Folks have killed hives due to hot summer temperatures and Formic acid placed in the hive.

That?s right Mr Van. Your information is what I have found to be true. After much studying, (and I will  confess that I am no expert at all). I have come to the general idea that this is a good treatment; but only under the ideal circumstances, and proper handling and care. There are folks in Germany which have some pretty good videos on this, seems they are pretty well informed there with formic and its proper use. I do have some trouble understanding some of what they are saying but I do get the jest of it. Blackforest beekeeper sparked my attention with the use of this in a sponge treatment. He called it a shock treatment in an extreme case of varroa. Mr Claude, if I remember correctly has spoke of using the commercially sold strips. So I am not afraid to use this if an extreme circumstance were to arise. For now, I am happy with the use of oxalic vapors as my go to choice. Any more thought anyone?  Your ideas and views are welcome.
Phillip
Title: Re: Formic Acid has Many Uses Including Varroa Treatment.
Post by: The15thMember on June 29, 2019, 02:24:14 PM
Quote from: Ben Framed on June 29, 2019, 12:47:12 AM
After much studying, (and I will  confess that I am no expert at all). I have come to the general idea that this is a good treatment; but only under the ideal circumstances, and proper handling and care. There are folks in Germany which have some pretty good videos on this, seems they are pretty well informed there with formic and its proper use. I do have some trouble understanding some of what they are saying but I do get the jest of it. Blackforest beekeeper sparked my attention with the use of this in a sponge treatment. He called it a shock treatment in an extreme case of varroa. Mr Claude, if I remember correctly has spoke of using the commercially sold strips. So I am not afraid to use this if an extreme circumstance were to arise. For now, I am happy with the use of oxalic vapors as my go to choice. Any more thought anyone?  Your ideas and views are welcome.
Phillip
I used Mite Away Quick Strips on my surviving hive last fall, which is a formic acid treatment.  I had a hive abscond from varroa and used the MAQS on the other hive.  I wanted to use an organic treatment, and MAQS was what my local farm store had.  I've only used it once, so not a lot of experience to go on or anything, but I was very happy with it.  I only did the single dose and had no queen supersedure.  It was easy to use too.  My hive came off the winter strong and split 4 ways, and all 4 hives are showing 0 or 1 mite in the their sugar rolls.  I have also been sugar dusting proactively, so that may be helping.  I have one more dose of MAQS left that is still good this year, so I may use it on one of my hives in the fall if they need it.     
Title: Re: Formic Acid has Many Uses Including Varroa Treatment.
Post by: Ben Framed on June 29, 2019, 09:49:27 PM
Quote from: The15thMember on June 29, 2019, 02:24:14 PM
Quote from: Ben Framed on June 29, 2019, 12:47:12 AM
After much studying, (and I will  confess that I am no expert at all). I have come to the general idea that this is a good treatment; but only under the ideal circumstances, and proper handling and care. There are folks in Germany which have some pretty good videos on this, seems they are pretty well informed there with formic and its proper use. I do have some trouble understanding some of what they are saying but I do get the jest of it. Blackforest beekeeper sparked my attention with the use of this in a sponge treatment. He called it a shock treatment in an extreme case of varroa. Mr Claude, if I remember correctly has spoke of using the commercially sold strips. So I am not afraid to use this if an extreme circumstance were to arise. For now, I am happy with the use of oxalic vapors as my go to choice. Any more thought anyone?  Your ideas and views are welcome.
Phillip
I used Mite Away Quick Strips on my surviving hive last fall, which is a formic acid treatment.  I had a hive abscond from varroa and used the MAQS on the other hive.  I wanted to use an organic treatment, and MAQS was what my local farm store had.  I've only used it once, so not a lot of experience to go on or anything, but I was very happy with it.  I only did the single dose and had no queen supersedure.  It was easy to use too.  My hive came off the winter strong and split 4 ways, and all 4 hives are showing 0 or 1 mite in the their sugar rolls.  I have also been sugar dusting proactively, so that may be helping.  I have one more dose of MAQS left that is still good this year, so I may use it on one of my hives in the fall if they need it.     

Awesome post Member. Thank you for sharing your impressive results. Wishing you more success.
Phillip