We emerged from winter with two healthy hives at the Boojum Beeyard. During the first inspection of the year, we noticed Varroa mites in both colonies. Though it wasn't a bad infestation, we decided to treat using food grade formic acid. Formic acid is a naturally occurring substance. It is found in the venom of most stinging plants and insects. For instance the sting of the nettle plant is from the formic acid. It is also found in the venom of bees and ants. It has many different uses, but beekeepers use it against tracheal and Varroa mites.
The formic acid comes ready to use, in acid soaked pads.
The bees are in the bottom box, called a deep. Another deep and an empty medium super are placed on top. The pads which are saturated with formic acid are placed in the upper level of the stack.
Time to button up the colonies. The lid is replaced and the formic acid is now fumigating the colony. The bees are unharmed by the acid and the mites are exterminated.
Though it does not harm the bees, it is still an acid and all the proper safety guidelines need to be followed.
Now we let the treatment do it's job. We will be coming back in a couple of weeks to do some spring colony splits.
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