Content
An ant for bees, the instructions for which do not promise difficulties in use, always give a positive result. This is a drug that beekeepers cannot do without. It is transparent, has a pungent odor and is used as a disinfectant for bees. Formic acid is found in large quantities in nettles, ants and api products.
Application of formic acid in beekeeping
In the last century, beekeepers began to use industrially produced citric acid to help bee colonies weakened by parasites to control pests. The effect of the drug on varroa mites is quite powerful, but harmless to bees and people.
In beekeeping, formic acid is used for preventive purposes. It is capable of preventing mite damage and varroatosis.When interacting with air, the chemical breaks down into water and carbon dioxide, but does not come into contact with honey. The product also has no negative effect on the environment.
Formic acid vapor is used in the following cases:
- fight against acarapidosis, varroatosis of bees;
- preventing the development of foulbrood, ascospherosis, nosematosis;
- cleaning honeycombs from wax moths.
How does formic acid affect ticks?
Formic acid has a detrimental effect on ticks. The evaporation of the drug begins to become active at an air temperature of more than 10 oC. A week before the honey collection, treatment is stopped.
The product is endowed with bactericidal and ungicidal properties. By adhering to the treatment scheme, which is spring and summer, it is possible to achieve a significant reduction in ascosferosis infections.
Ant drug
Ant for bees is used for mite infestation and for prevention - simultaneously throughout the entire apiary. Treatment usually begins in the spring, the second after the last pumping of commercial honey.
Composition, release form
The substance for saving bees from mites includes formic acid at a concentration of 85% and a gel former. Visually the product is completely colorless. You can buy non-woven acid-permeable bags of 30 g at the pharmacy. The prepackaged drug is sold in jars made of polymer material. Each container contains 4 packets.
Pharmacological properties
The product mainly consists of formic acid. Its action is acaricidal and is directed against adult parasites Varpoa jacobsoni and Acararis woodi."Ant" has a second hazard class. According to GOST 12.1.007-76, the effect of the drug is locally irritating. It has an aggressive effect on the skin and mucous tissues. Formic acid has a powerful inhalation, toxic effect, but is not poisonous to bees.
The effect of the acaricidal drug on ticks is nerve-paralytic. After activation of the substance, pestilence of adult parasites is almost immediately noticed. When manipulating the hive, the beekeeper must observe safety precautions.
Instructions for use of the drug Muraviinka
The instructions for use of Ants for Bees indicate that:
- the drug is used for medicinal purposes when bees are affected by mites;
- after the substance from the packages has evaporated, empty packages should be disposed of;
- Working with the product requires caution.
The first thing you should do after purchasing an Ant is to familiarize yourself with the recommendations, contraindications, storage and use rules.
Dosage, rules of use
Work with Ants in case of mites is carried out throughout the entire apiary at once. Typically, spring prevention is done after the first inspection of hives that have survived the winter. The second time measures to prevent the development of parasites are carried out after the last pumping of honey - in the fall.
If the disease progresses, bee colonies are treated twice, with an interval of a week. The packages are laid out among the hives. 1 package must be allocated for each family.To do this, break the seal of the jar and lay out the packages with the composition on the upper bars of the frames with honeycombs.
All activities are carried out at temperatures from 10 to 25 °C.
Side effects, contraindications, restrictions on use
The form of the drug recommended for beekeepers to treat apiaries does not negatively affect the life and activity of bees, but there are some contraindications to the use of Ant:
- It is unacceptable to carry out processing at a temperature that does not meet the recommendations.
- If there is no air circulation in the hive, pest control will have to be abandoned until the problem is resolved.
- If the dosage is violated, nervous overexcitation is noticed in the bees, insects begin swarming on the hives, and as a result, their death, including the queen, is quite possible.
- Treatments for the purpose of treatment are not carried out in bad weather. All manipulations should also be performed in daylight.
The container with the medicine should be unsealed immediately before use. If Ants come into contact with honey, the product is not discarded, since the acid in this case does not pose a danger.
Shelf life and storage conditions
If you do not plan to use the drug immediately after purchase, it should be stored in the manufacturer’s original packaging, in a place without excessive humidity.
Treatment of bees with formic acid against mites
In beekeeping, treatment with formic acid is an important measure that helps save bees from death. It has a powerful effect on the tick, but in order for the result to be complete, it is necessary to perform the following algorithm of actions:
- Cardboard plates (5 mm) with dimensions of 150 by 250 mm are placed in bags and medicine (200 ml) is added;
- the cardboard must be thoroughly soaked;
- to prevent the substance from evaporating, the bag should be hermetically sealed;
- immediately before placing the packages in the hives, two or three holes are made on each of them;
- the bags are placed on frames, on top of bee nests, with the cuts down;
- for greater effect, a pair of wooden slats are placed on the bottom of the house;
- Before processing, remove the lid and mat from the hive;
- Having completed all the steps, all bees must be fumigated with smoke so that they do not attack while laying out the medicinal substance.
Formic acid is unsafe for humans, therefore, when processing it is worth worrying about your own safety.
When to treat
Prevention with formic acid in the fall is usually carried out in September, but you should focus on weather conditions. The best temperature for manipulation is +15 oC. At lower temperatures, any treatments are less effective.
How to prepare the solution
To prepare a homemade remedy for bees with the active substance formic acid, you will need the following ingredients:
- household plastic bags - 20x30;
- cardboard strips - 15x25;
- formic acid - 150 - 200 ml.
After the cardboard has completely absorbed the acid, the bags are hermetically sealed.Before placing them in the hive, holes are made in them. The package is placed on wooden slats, holes down. Making an Ant for processing bees at home is not difficult.
How to treat bees with formic acid in the fall
Treating bees with formic acid is a salvation from troubles.
Autumn processing is usually carried out in one of several ways:
- Some beekeepers pour the substance into bottles and place wicks in them. Such structures are hung in bee nests.Important! This method is dangerous and can cause the death of the swarm.
- The second option involves filling plastic caps with acid. They are placed under the roof.Important! The acid in the lids should not remain in the hive for more than 4 days.
- The safest method that does not cause consequences is Ant. The drug is developed taking into account all the needs of beekeepers.
Conclusion
An ant for bees, the instructions for which are written taking into account all the nuances of the properties of the substance, is a good help in beekeeping. It is actively used by beekeepers for the prevention and treatment of bees. Formic acid has undergone a number of clinical studies and is safe and in demand in beekeeping and medicine.
