Has anyone here looked into alternative ways to deal with the Varroa Destructor? This may be worth looking into.
Long-term evaporator for formic acid for the safe ...
https://rodneybeekeepersclub.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/manual-nassenheider.pdfNASSENHEIDER Professional Evaporator is a long-term evaporator for the continuous evaporation of formic acid 60% ad us. vet. for the varroasis (Varroa destructor) treatment of the honey bee (Apis mellifera). NASSENHEIDER evaporator is a bee drug approved in Germany.
The Nassenheider Evaporator - Dave Cushman
http://dave-cushman.net/bee/nassenheider.htmlThe Nassenheider evaporator frame. My method of installation of the Nassenheider unit is somewhat different, as my intended use was with essential oils rather than formic acid.The bees more likely to build comb in any spaces during periods of use that may be much longer than that used with formic acid for varroa treatment, but I see no reason why it would not be as effective for acid evaporation.
ACID VAPOR BATHS IN THE BEEHIVE - Bee Care
https://beecare.bayer.com/bilder/upload/dynamicContentFull/BeeNow/BEENOW_acidvaporbathi6296aew.pdfPROPER APPLICATION OF FORMIC ACID FOR VARROA MITE CONTROL ACID VAPOR BATHS IN THE BEEHIVE It?s an irritating affair for the Varroa mites: Formic acid is popular among beekeepers to protect their honey bees from these dangerous parasites. But if it?s applied incorrectly, the acid can also harm the bees. A new study sheds light on the process.
Nature?s weapon
Formic acid not only protects against mites; the chemical, which was first
extracted by scientists from some ants species, is produced naturally and used
by the ants as a defense spray to ward off their enemies. The larvae of the puss
moth can also squirt formic acid up to 30 centimeters when it feels threatened.
Other creatures such as jellyfish, scorpions and beetles employ the substance
to defend themselves, too. Even plants exploit the power of the chemical: The
urticating hairs of stinging nettles also contain formic acid.