Many scientists now emphasize the difference between man-made pesticides and natural substances that have the ability to control mites. Therefore, it can be argued that Formic acid is not a pesticide, and can be used in organic production. Many scientific papers have been written on Formic acid.   There are just too many references to note all of them, but generally, all authorities agree on the following:

• Mites should not become resistant to Formic acid.
• Formic acid is the only treatment that can be used in organic honey production.
• In temperate climates - spring and late summer treatments are recommended.
• In sub tropical and other climates, dry and low-brood seasons are most effective when using Formic acid and MiteGone^® method to treat against the Varroa mite.

Side Benefits:
(Abstract translated from German, Czech, and Spanish Research)
At 65% concentration, MiteGone^® method of Formic acid treatment helps to control Nosema and Chalk Brood. It makes honey bees more hygienic as they clean cells of infected larva and chalk mummies. We observed: That treating varroa mites organically using Formic acid makes mites sick and non reproductive . The removal and utilization of old honey on combs where we placed the pads over the honey. All surrounding honey was removed and utilized; also combs were fixed and cleaned. Also, the Small Wax moth was removed from infested equipment added to the hives and did not reappear on hives treated with Formic acid.

The following list of subjects and articles is updated as new research relevant to MiteGone^® formic acid treatment, and method is found or release.

• PATENTS Canada and USA:

• CREDIBLE USE HISTORY: These are under oath statements provided by qualified people to PMRA as a support in our registration application.

MiteGone^® RESEARCH: Conducted in Canada, USA, Spain, Canary Islands and Czech Republic in order of importance and year done.

• How We Got to Zero Mites
  Title: TEST EVALUATION AUGUST 2006 TO APRIL 2010
  Footer:MG Empire/Public Documents/Scientific Evidence/Test Evaluation August 2006 to April 2010 – May 10 C1
  Abstract: Series of these tests and treatments proved that two Bee Mite Treatments with 65% FORMIC ACID and MiteGone^® METHOD can virtually eliminate VAROA mite
  From 500 hives Pollination and bee breeding operation.

• WHEN ARE “WINTER BEES” PRODUCED & WHEN TO TREAT?
  FOOTER: MG/EN/PD/SE/ OTIS-winter bees – when to treat Feb18 C
  Mattila, H.R., J.L. Harris, & G.W. Otis, 2001.  Timing of production of winter bees in honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies. Insectes Sociaux 48: 88-93.  Summary in beekeeper friendly language by G. W. Otis, 2017.

• MENDEL’S AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY IN BRNO in Czech Republic.
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregor_Mendel
  There is Two 3 year studies with excellent results performed in 2007 to 2010 unfortunately in Czech language But Scrolling DOWN to page 4 in the first Czech document, and page 15 of the second Czech document will bring you to ENGLISH LANGUAGE SUMMARY.

• RESEARCH IN BRNO MiteGone^® AGAINST GABON
  This research compares MiteGone^® with Gabon and Amitras.

• RESEARCH NI BRNO IMPORTANCE OF SPRING TREATMENT
  This research emphasizes the importance of the spring treatment.

• MiteGone^® AS SMALL HIVE BEETLE REPELLENT and EFFECTIVE VARROA TREATMENT IN SUBTROPICAL CLIMATE
  Bill Ruzicka and Steve and Mike Beekeepers. Abstract Published in April issue of BEE CULTURE 2008. At time of print repellent effect on SHB lasted for 12 weeks and primary varroa control reached 80-85%. Final results will be collected in April - May before spring treatment.

• SCIENTIFIC ESSAYS ABOUT MITEGONE™ METHOD(VARROA DESTRUCTOR ORGANIC TREATMENT.)
  Fleitas, J.L.; Rodriguez, A.B.; De la Fe, C.; Corbera, A.S., Gran Ca Naria Island, Spain. April 2005.
  English version of the Spanish original. Before you complain about his English attempt to write this paper in Spanish. This paper proves that even very high infestations (100+) can be controlled in the fall by four half-pads, to have the spring natural drop below 10 mites. Also, with high infestation the multiples of efficacy of 4-5 are sufficient efficacy. In the spring, with low infestation, the multiples of efficacy reached 35 times, comparable to 95-100% efficacy.
  Note: Table on page 7 is for March, not October. See pages 8/9 for summary of results.

• FORMIC ACID EVAPORATION PADS(MITEGONE) AS A Varroa MITE CONTROL TOOL: 2004 Formic Acid Preliminary Report.
  Preliminary Report
  M. Stanghelini, P. Raybold, and W. Wilson
  Ruthers University, Dep. Of Agriculture NJ. 2004.
  This paper proves 80% efficacy with three half-pads in double-high colonies.

• EVALUATION OF SELECTED BIOPESTICIDES FOR THE LATE FALL CONTROL OF VARROA MITES IN A NORTHERN TEMPERATE CLIMATE. ABJ, June 2004, page 475. Volume 144. NO 6.
  M. Stanghelini, P. Raybold.
  Ruthers University, Dep. Of Agriculture NJ. 2004.
  This paper compares MiteGone^® one-pad treatment with other methods, even using one pad for 30 days had an efficacy of 79% in single colonies, 69% in double-high. Our standard treatment is two pads for single colonies, three pads for double colonies.

• PRUEBA DE CAMPO DE CONTROL DE LA VARROASIS (VARROA DESTRUCTOR) DE LAS ABEJAS DE MIEL CON ACIDO FORMICO Y DISTRIBUIDOR MiteGone^{® TM},
  A.G. Pajuelo, Natalia Gil Garcia, Nestor Pascaual. (FIELD TEST IN SPAIN - IN SPANISH) October 2003.
  This paper produces an efficacy of 90-100% using 2 and 3 5" half pads on hives having initial infestation of 20-50% in brood

• REPORT ON MITEGONE
  A commercial slow release treatment with 65% formic acid.
  CAN YOU MAKE VARROA SICK WITH FORMIC ACID? Excerpt from Hivelights, 200. Vol. 13 #4.
  Adony Melathopoulos, J.Gates, and B. Ruzicka, Kelowna, BC, Canada, May - August 2000.
  This was a first test for MiteGone. While efficacy of vertical installation of 2 pads between frame and wall was similar to Apistan (no resistance in 2000), the horizontal application on top of frames did not provide good results, it was similar to untreated colonies.

SUPPORTING RESEARCH: These are research articles used in our research as guidance or supporting the MiteGone^® Principle and method.

• HUMAN EXPOSURE TO FORMIC ACID FROM APPLICATIONS FOR THE CONTROL OF HONEY BEE TRACHEAL MITES
  Kerry J. Clark B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food May, 1992
  This paper supports our recommendation that respirators are not required or optional for beekeepers when installing the prefilled pads into hives and consequent visits by beekeepers or inspectors. In the paper, 30 ml. = 30 grams were applied in liquid to the top of the hive by pouring it on paper towels. MiteGone pads are encased in a plastic skin and evaporate 6 grams in 24 hours in continuous flow, or virtually Zero in the minute it takes to take them out of kit and put on the hive. The acid, at less than one gram on the outside of the plastic wrap, evaporates instantly and that all happens below the installer’s waste line 24 “below their air intake.

• VARROA CONTROL PRESIDING HONEY FLOW;
  THYMOL AND FORMIC ACID RESIDUES.
  PROC. NETH. ENTOMOL. SOC. MEET. - VOLUME 17 - 2006 141
  Jeroen Donders, Bram Cornelissen & Tjeerd Blacquière
  Applied Plant Research (PPO), Bee Unit, PO Box 69, 6700 AB Wageningen, TheNetherlands, E-mail: jeroen.donders@wur.nl
  This paper is using NASSENHEIDER formic acid evaporator predecessor of MiteGone^® using same low dose continuous release method with slightly larger evaporation rate. Regardless slight increase of formic acid residues in ppm in treatment hives, no level of acid in any sample reached the taste level limit, proving that contamination of honey with MiteGone^® method is unlikely.

• VAROA MITE REPRODUCTIONS GUIDELINE
  Courtesy of Jeff Harris & Robert Danka USDA Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Lab
  1157 Ben Hur Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70892
  In our research and testing, we found out that mites surviving the treatment are in 80% infertile andwill not reproduce. This paper provides a layman's explanation of rules used in our research.

• SURVIVAL OF HONEY BEES DURING WINTER IN COLONIES INFESTED BY VARROA DESTRUCTOR
  Lonne Gerritsen, Applied Plant Research, Netherlands Supports our method in timing of treatment:
  “To ensure winter bees Varroa has to be controlled before winter bees are produced.”

• EFFECT OF CONCENTRATION AND EXPOSURE TIME ON TREATMENT EFFICACY AGAINST VARROA MITES DURING INDOOR WINTER FUMIGATION OF HONEY BEES WITH FORMIC ACID.
  Robyn M. Underwood and Robert W. Currie
  This paper proves that slow/low dose prolonged treatments with formic acid will provide sufficient control of Varroa without negative effects.

• SYNTHETIC MITICIDES CONTAMINATION and RESISTENCE
  Courtesy of : Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com
  The best summary of issues, impacts and resistance created not only by synthetic pesticides but also by the methods of application.
  Original publication in ABJ Sept. o9.

VERIFICATION TESTING Charts and Evaluations: What they Tell You. These charts provided the data and information to eliminate all problems, simplify instructions, come up with product which works under all condition every where.