Description

With the arrival of September, it is time to finally deal with the population of the Varroa destructor, which weakens the winter bee generation. It is also worth protecting the combs taken out from the hives against the destructive effect of the Wax moth. In both cases, a 120 ml acid dispenser from the Łyson company offer may prove helpful.

Formic acid – an effective way to combat Varroa

Most pharmaceuticals are expensive, so beekeepers are increasingly looking to find other solutions. Some of those are very effective and at the same time inexpensive to use. Formic acid has been known for years and proven in apiaries. It is an organic chemical compound, namely carboxylic acid. The biggest advantage of its application is that it fights Varroa destructor not only on bees themselves – like other medications – but also those hidden inside the sealed off comb cells. Due to the shortened foretical phase of the pests, this factor proves crucial. The 85% formic acid treatment, if carried out correctly, is safe for bees and is highly effective in reducing varroasis.

Acetic acid – a way to keep combs in storage

The returning challenge that beekeepers face every year is to keep the withdrawn frames safe in storage awaiting their re-use in the hives. The stock of those frames is a valuable resource. It allows bees to start collecting honey faster, which is especially important in the early stages of the season. Unfortunately, combs that are not cared for by a bee family often fall prey to the Wax moth. The larvae feed on them, destroying them over time to the point where they cannot be used again in the hives. One way to protect the combs is to apply acetic acid to them. Its concentration in the air makes the pest activity cease. Several days before these frames are planned to be placed back in the hive, they need to be aired, as the smell of the acetic acid on them discourages bees from getting near the combs and thus from using them.