since 1995

Many scientific papers have been written on Formic acid.  There are just too many references to note all of them, but generally, all authorities agree on the following:

• Mites should not become resistant to Formic acid.
• Formic acid is the only treatment that can be used in organic honey production.
• In temperate climates - spring and late summer treatments are recommended.
• In sub tropical and other climates, dry and low-brood seasons are most effective when using Formic acid to treat against the Varroa mite.

Side Benefits:
(Abstract translated from German, Czech, and Spanish Research)
At the proper concentration, Formic acid treatment helps to control Nosema and Chalk Brood. It makes bees more hygienic as they clean cells of infected larva and chalk mummies. We observed the removal and utilization of old honey on combs where we placed the pads over the honey. All surrounding honey was removed and utilized; also combs were fixed and cleaned. Also, the small wax moth was removed from infested equipment added to the hives and did not reappear on hives treated with Formic acid.

The following list of subjects and articles is updated as new research relevant to MiteGone, the formic acid treatment, and method is found or release.

• MITEGONE AS SMALLHIVE BEETLE REPELLENT and EFECTIVE VARROA TREATMENT IN SUBTROPICAL CLIMATE
  Bill Ruzicka and Steve and Mike Beekeepers. Abstract Published in April issue of BEECULTURE 2008. At time of print repellent effect on SHB lasted for 12 weeks and primary varroa control reached 80-85%. Final results will be collected in April - May before spring treatment.

• SURVIVAL OF HONEY BEES DURING WINTER IN COLONIES INFESTED BY VARROA DESTRUCTOR
  Lonne Gerritsen, Applied Plant Research, Netherlands Supports our method in timing of treatment:
  “To ensure winter bees Varroa has to be controlled before winter bees are produced.”

• EFFECT OF CONCENTRATION AND EXPOSURE TIME ON TREATMENT EFFICACY AGAINST VARROA MITES DURING INDOOR WINTER FUMIGATION OF HONEY BEES WITH FORMIC ACID.
  Robyn M. Underwood and Robert W. Currie
  This paper proves that slow/low dose prolonged treatments with formic acid will provide sufficient control of Varroa without negative effects.

• SCIENTIFIC ESSAYS ABOUT MITEGONE™ METHOD(VARROA DESTRUCTOR ORGANIC TREATMENT.)
  Fleitas, J.L.; Rodriguez, A.B.; De la Fe, C.; Corbera, A.S., Gran Ca Naria Island, Spain. April 2005.
  English version of the Spanish original. Before you complain about his English attempt to write this paper in Spanish. This paper proves that even very high infestations (100+) can be controlled in the fall by four half-pads, to have the spring natural drop below 10 mites. Also, with high infestation the multiples of efficacy of 4-5 are sufficient efficacy. In the spring, with low infestation, the multiples of efficacy reached 35 times, comparable to 95-100% efficacy.
  Note: Table on page 7 is for March, not October. See pages 8/9 for summary of results.

• FORMIC ACID EVAPORATION PADS(MITEGONE) AS A Varroa MITE CONTROL TOOL: 2004 Formic Acid Preliminary Report.
  Preliminary Report
  M. Stanghelini, P. Raybold, and W. Wilson
  Ruthers University, Dep. Of Agriculture NJ. 2004.
  This paper proves 80% efficacy with three half-pads in double-high colonies.

• EVALUATION OF SELECTED BIOPESTICIDES FOR THE LATE FALL CONTROL OF VARROA MITES IN A NORTHERN TEMPERATE CLIMATE. ABJ, June 2004, page 475. Volume 144. NO 6.
  M. Stanghelini, P. Raybold.
  Ruthers University, Dep. Of Agriculture NJ. 2004.
  This paper compares MiteGone one-pad treatment with other methods, even using one pad for 30 days had an efficacy of 79% in single colonies, 69% in double-high. Our standard treatment is two pads for single colonies, three pads for double colonies.

• PRUEBA DE CAMPO DE CONTROL DE LA VARROASIS (VARROA DESTRUCTOR) DE LAS ABEJAS DE MIEL CON ACIDO FORMICO Y DISTRIBUIDOR MITEGONE ^TM,
  A.G. Pajuelo, Natalia Gil Garcia, Nestor Pascaual. (FIELD TEST IN SPAIN - IN SPANISH) October 2003.
  This paper produces an efficacy of 90-100% using 2 and 3 half pads on hives having initial infestation of 20-50% in brood

• REPORT ON MITEGONE
  A commercial slow release treatment with 65% formic acid.
  CAN YOU MAKE VARROA SICK WITH FORMIC ACID? Excerpt from Hivelights, 200. Vol. 13 #4.
  Adony Melathopoulos, J.Gates, and B. Ruzicka, Kelowna, BC, Canada, May - August 2000.
  This was a first test for MiteGone. While vertical installation of 2 pads between frame and wall was similar to Apistan (no resistance in 2000), the horizontal application on top of frames did not provide good results, similar to untreated colonies.