Formic acid in the control of varroatosis: a practical approach.

To evaluate the applicability of formic acid in the control of varroatosis, a trial on 55 hives was carried out during the second half of August. Into the moving base of the hive were inserted 60% formic-acid-soaked pads. The treatment was administered according to two different schedules: weekly treatment for 4 weeks, and treatment every 3 days for 2.5-3 weeks. With the first schedule, efficacy equal to 94.3% and 89.6% in 22 and 15 hives, respectively, was obtained; in eight hives treated using the second schedule, efficacy of 98.8% was obtained. As controls, 10 hives treated with Apistan were used. No adverse effects on bees were observed in the hives treated with formic acid.