First round applying formic pro and caging queens on top box

June 26 2023

I’m hoping to abate the adverse effects of formic pro on my queens by caging them and putting them in the very top box of the hive. I figure this is easier than caging her in-frame where she’ll be exposed to the formic strips. I’m doing this at a couple of apiary hives. Out of the nine colonies I’ve treated with formic two are now exhibiting signs of an unhealthy queen. Later this season I will plan on brood breaking hives if their varroa mite counts start to rise, I am not a fan of formic acid. Looking forward to applying oxalic acid vapor again in the winter when there’s less brood, this is so far the most effective and least intrusive method of treating colonies.