FORMIC PRO 68.2 g - 20 strips (10 hives)

01 · TEMPERATURE

From 10 to 29.5 °C, and it is a contraindication

The range is not a recommendation: the sheet lists it under contraindications. It is not used if the daytime temperature on the day of application falls outside10-29.5 °C. Going over the top during thefirst three days is what does the damage: brood mortality rises and so does the risk of losing the queen. And if that heat coincides with a dearth, the risk of queen loss, sudden supersedure or a laying halt climbs sharply. The instruction then is a single one: postpone until temperatures drop or nectar comes in again. It is not fixed by using less product.

02 · VENTILATION AND COLONY SIZE

The bees are the ones regulating the dose

The vapour spreads because the colony ventilates the brood area down to a level it finds comfortable. That is why the sheet requiresa full-width entrance, 12.5 mm minimum height, with no reducers or mouse guards; if the entrance is permanently reduced, equivalent slots must be opened. By contrast,the mesh floor trays stay closed, which is what optimises efficacy. Hence the other contraindication:a colony of fewer than 10,000 bees is not treated, because it does not move enough air and the concentration becomes intolerable for it.

03 · HOW IT GOES IN

The paper wrapping the strip does not come off

It is the most expensive mistake with this product:the paper wrapper acts as a wick and controls the release rate. You separate the two strips and lay them flat on the top bars of the lower brood box, in the heart of the brood area, with about5 cm between strips and 10 cm to the ends, with no extra spacers. One sachet —2 strips— per hive for 7 days, and aminimum of one month between applications. While it lasts, the colony is not opened: disturbing it triggers mortality of brood, adults and the queen, and can cause absconding. Spent strips are composted.

04 · SUPERS, HONEY AND QUEENS

Empty supers yes; supers with honey, off

The nuance matters.Supers with honey come off before applying, and honey stored in supers that were on before the treatment is not intended for human consumption. Spent strips are taken out before putting harvest supers back on. On the other hand, if the colony expands and needs room, empty supers can go on at application. The honey withdrawal iszero days. And on queens, an instruction that prevents a wreck:do not destroy the queen cells that appear — supersedure is natural and is best left to run. Check a month later that there is a laying queen; mother and daughter coexisting after the treatment is not uncommon.

⚠ PRECAUTIONS

It is corrosive and irritating to skin and eyes. Wear beekeeping clothing andchemical-resistant EN 374 gloves, keep water to hand and open the sachet outdoors only, standing upwind. In an enclosed space, a half or full face mask withtype B or E filters. Avoid inhaling the vapour; if it gets in your eyes, rinse for10 minutes and see a doctor. Keep children well away.

Anyone with known hypersensitivity to formic or oxalic acid should handle it with care. The colony must come to the treatment with good stores, and it is not fed inside the hive while it lasts.

05 · SUPPLY AND PACK

Formicpro is aprescription-only veterinary medicine and is administered under veterinary supervision or control. Because of that status itcannot be supplied by distance selling: this page is informational and does not process any purchase. This box holds10 sachets, 20 strips — 10 hives at one sachet per hive. The marketing authorisation holder is NOD Apiary Ireland Limited. Formic acid is also among the substances that Regulation (EU) 2018/848 permits against varroa in organic production; whether it fits a given certified operation is for your control authority or certifier to validate.