PRODUCT & METHOD

MiteGone^® evaporator pads were designed by the beekeeper – for the beekeeper, and have been successfully tested and used since 1995 by beekeepers in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada. Since 2000, MiteGone^® has been available commercially and tested worldwide. Use and experiences in Canada, USA, Europe, Argentina, Chile, and New Zealand have showed that: After 20 years of exclusive use in 500 hives We cannot find mites before spring treatment, and the MiteGone^® pads, treatment, and method of treating bees for mites fulfilled intended design criteria:

1. Pads are one item that is inexpensive, simple, and easy to use in many ways. Available as dry or pre-soaked pads in kits.

2. Treatment is not weather dependant, but adjustable to local conditions. The product works as long as the bees do not cluster. The bees maintain steady internal temperature and humidity, thus maintaining the evaporation rate in the bee hive.

3. MiteGone^® uses the continuous low dose release method which works on the principle of evaporating a miniscule but steady flow of Formic Acid fumes through the hive which is finally contained at the bottom board. This forces bees to ventilate through this pool of Formic Acid and deliver a low concentration of the Formic Acid's fumes to the brood chamber, knocking the mites off and killing them in the pool of heavily concentrated Formic Acid fumes on the bottom board , or in TRAYS of screened bottoms. Remarkably we found good results on fully open bottoms too. In addition, it makes mites sick and infertile so they keep dying. Treating varroa mites with formic acid does not cause overdose symptoms and is not weather dependent.

4. MiteGone^® pads fit into the existing bee space between the frame and wall in the hive without any additional box, rim, or equipment. Heat and humidity is maintained by bees only between frames.

5. Method allows for variable dosage to treat colonies of different sizes including nukes by using
   1-2-3-4 of 5" pads.

6. Pads contain enough Formic Acid: for 21 or more days of treatment to treat low and medium infestation, and by adding or replacing pads to treat high infestation levels.

7. Method eliminates measuring Formic Acid into a dispenser. The product soaks and holds the exact amount of Formic Acid automatically.

8. Pads contain Formic Acid without dripping and evaporates Formic Acid at a constant rate on the principles of capillary tube and gravity.

9. MiteGone^® is a one-visit treatment that does not require any specific time for removal or disposal? Remove it or REUSE pads when pads are dry the next time you work the hive.

10. Pads are disposable for the commercial operator but allows for re-use by the penny-pincher without transferring diseases. Re-soaking in Formic Acid sterilizes the pads.

HOW MiteGone^® WORKS

There are many different ways of dispensing acid that require multiple applications, or several adjustments to openings or cutting slots. They work on the principle of absorbency and evaporation by regulating the wrap openings. Generally, these dispensers are placed on the top of the hive or cluster, or on the bottom board. They may or may not work equally on colonies of different sizes. They also may require additional space and equipment, and cause queen and brood losses and drone sterility: all signs of overdose.

MiteGone® solves these problems as it works on the principle of the capillary tube and the law of gravity. It releases acid in a low dose continuous release action.

Another key to the success of MiteGone^® is its location inside of the hive. MiteGone^® pads are 3/8 of an inch (9.5 mm) thick 4 inches (116 mm) wide and 5 inches (127 mm) long. These pads are hung vertically in the available bee space between the last comb and the wall of the hive body.

In this location, 95% of hives will leave it alone and maintain favorable temperature and humidity. Strong hives will keep the temperature in this space between 22-26 degrees C (70-80 degrees F) and a humidity of 55%.

At the same time in March to May, outside temperatures ranges between minus 5 degrees and 28 degrees C (20-83 degrees F) and the humidity varies between 20 to 90%.

MiteGone^® pads are manufactured with zillions of cells connected and functioning as capillary tubes in the direction of the length of the pad.

Both 4” ends are open the tubes and evaporating surface are exposed, so no one can put them in wrong. When soaked with acid, a four-gram 5”-pad will automatically absorb 120 grams of acid.

Hung vertically, the capillaries will keep the liquid in the pad without dripping and gravity will pull down the acid to replace acid evaporated at the bottom. Under bees’ controlled average conditions of 24 degrees C and 55% humidity, a four inch wide pad will emit a total of six grams of acid in continuous flow per day.

This miniscule amount is sufficient to maintain a pool of heavily concentrated acid on the bottom board and a light concentration within brood. This light concentration is sufficient enough to knock the mites off bees. They then fall down into the heavy pool where they die.

The 5”-pad treatment will last a minimum of 21 to 30 days, killing the mites hiding in capped cells for seven days and emerging from cells. The fumes must penetrate the capping and make mites sterile in 80% they will not reproduce.

The use of 65% acid and the light concentration of fumes in the brood area eliminate problems of killing the queen, brood or causing sterility in drones. We evaporated 18 grams (three pads) in a single box and 30 grams (six pads) in two high colonies without any bad effects.

How to make the most of your treatment:

Some Words of Wisdom: You are not the only beekeeper in the world. Unless you persuade your neighbours and surrounding hobbyists to treat varroa mites organically the same way you do, your operation will always be in jeopardy. Everyone needs to treat more or less at the same time, using the same Honey bee mite treatments. I provide my neighbours with material at a reasonable cost to make it easy for them to treat the same way I do. If you do not, you will have to fight re-infestation, often by resistant Varroa.

YOU MAY TO PRINT THE ABOVE & BELOW INFORMATION FOR YOUR FIELD MANUAL.

Hobby kit
Who and how shall use it.

Commercial & Sideliner kit
Who and how shall use it.

Frequently Asked Questions
Most common questions about formic acid use and the MiteGone method for the removal of Varroa and Tracheal mites.