Membrane-barrier delivery of formic acid, a chemical used for mite control on honey bees (Apis mellifera)

SUMMARYFormic acid vapours have been shown to be an acceptable alternative to Apistan (fluvalinate) in the control of Varroa jacobsoni, a parasitic mite found on honey bees. In this relatively new and increasingly important alternate treatment, beekeepers are repeatedly exposed to formic acid as a liquid and its vapours. The vapour concentrations are significant, but the greater danger is exposure from direct contact of the concentrated acid with the skin. A barrier method using a latex membrane is described, and data is presented for the safe, effective and inexpensive delivery of 10 ± 1, mean ± s.e. (n = 6) g/day of 65% (vol./vol.) formic acid as vapour.