Fighting Varroa. Formic acid, an ecological solution to Varroa destructor

Varroosis is a dangerous disease of bees, without treatment within two or three seasons, it can lead to the extinction of the swarm. It is caused by the arachnid Varroa destructor, which parasitizes bees. The plague bee feeds on the hemolymph of unbitten brood and adult bees. By damaging the cuticle during feeding, the arachnid leaves the "open door" for other pathogens, which then have easier access to the body of the larva or adult insect. In addition, arachnids themselves are carriers of viruses such as ABPV, IAPV or DWV. Hitting directly into the body weakened by the parasite's feeding, the viruses multiply in such a rapid way that until recently the disease of deformed wings (DWV) was diagnosed as a pathognomonic symptom characteristic of Varroa infection.

Determination of the number of parasites in a bee colony.

The most effective assessment of the condition of a bee colony in terms of Varroa infection is to determine the number of parasites. Such determination should be carried out routinely three times a year. The first "counting" of parasites is best done right after bees hibernate. During the wintering period, natural losses in the arachnid population are about 30%. Finding a few or a dozen dead females of V. destructor at the bottom of the hive means low infestation of the colony with the parasite, several dozen dead arachnids are already an average level of infestation and a clear reason for concern, but when we find more than 100 females, we are dealing with a swarm heavily infected with the disease.

The second date when you should start assessing the condition of the family will be the last two weeks of July. This time, however, we evaluate the average daily fallout. If we find more than an average of 8 dead females of the parasite per day in the shed, treatment should be started immediately. However, there is no need to check the bottoms every day. A better way is to check the bottoms once a week while averaging the results for the following days. Then we will avoid falsification of the image resulting from changes in weather conditions or the life cycle of insects in the hive.  

The third date for determining the scale of Varroa infection of the family falls on 2-3 weeks at the turn of September and October. Methodology for taking counting and determining the degree of infestation as in the case of the summer period.

It is important to use varroosis nets on the bottoms of the hive. They protect the droppings against natural removal from the hive by worker bees. The drop obtained on non-meshed bottoms cannot be considered as a reliable reflection of the colony condition due to the probable distortion resulting from the fact that the hive is "cleaned" by workers.

Ecological methods of combating Varroosis.

Formic acid is a natural admixture in honey. As a medicine, it is intuitively perceived as ecological and non-interfering with the life of the hive. Unfortunately, it's not that different. The amount of formic acid in the honey must not exceed 150 mg/kg. After crossing this border, it begins to be noticeable in the taste. Therefore, it is better not to use formic acid during the storage period of commercial honey intended for sale. In addition, formic acid vapors are heavier than air and at the same time caustic, which in extreme cases can lead to paralysis of the bees themselves. Lower doses may cause distress leading to lethal maternal entanglement. That is why it is so important to comply with the acceptable daily doses of the preparation.

Formic acid in the form of vapor damages the respiratory system of V. destructor, leading to the death of arachnids. Unfortunately, parasites feeding on unbitten larvae sealed in combs are completely resistant to the effects of the fumes. Parasitic mites spend from one hour to seven days on an adult bee, and only during this time can they be effectively combated.

Formic acid against Varroa dosage and application.

We fight varroosis using formic acid in two stages. The first treatment is best carried out after the main honey harvest. In this treatment, a weaker acid solution of 60-65% is used. Formic acid is administered to the hive using dispensers - home-made or factory-made - in order to evaporate it. The daily dose should not exceed 7-10 g for one hive body, which gives about 13 ml per day for one hive body of acid with a concentration of 65%. One hive should receive no more than 100 ml of acid for one body at a time, and 180 ml for two. The external temperature should not fall below 12 degrees - then the evaporation of the acid stops and the therapy does not proceed. Also, acid should not be applied at temperatures above 25 degrees, as the acid evaporates too rapidly, which can lead to vapor concentration and the previously described adverse effects.

The second stage should take place over a period of 10-14 days at the turn of September and October after the end of pre-winter feeding. During this period, at temperatures below 20 degrees, 65% acid can be replaced with concentrated acid - 83-85% to enhance the therapeutic effect.

Keep the hive opening open throughout the treatment. It is also unavoidable to check the amount of evaporated acid on a daily basis. Before pouring acid into the dispensers - as well as the dispensers themselves - it is good to cool it down. This will prevent rapid evaporation immediately after placing in the hive and thus exceeding the permissible concentration of vapors.

Before filling the dispensers, protect the respiratory tract with a mask - preferably with an absorber, hands and eyes, and take care of appropriate clothing. It must not be forgotten that formic acid is a corrosive and dangerous substance. Make sure that there are no bystanders in the apiary and the immediate vicinity during care treatments. And other farm workers should know about the work being carried out to avoid accidental contact with the hazardous substance.

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*This article is for informational purposes only. The presented description, in particular the use of the products, is exemplary and constitutes non-binding information about the characteristics and possibilities of their use/application. In any case, before using the product, consult a specialist whether the specific use is safe and justified. We do not bear any responsibility for the use of the proposed solutions, even in very similar situations.