Based on my interpetation of your observations, the MAQS treatment killed your queen. This is a relatively common occurance and the primary reason I do not use, nor recommend, formic acid treatments. What have your daytime high temperatures been like? I see thet Redding is supposed to be over 100° in the middle of next week. Formic should not be used if the temps might exceed 85°F. Check back in the hive in a day or two and make a concerted effort to find eggs. If you do not find any, either give them a frame of eggs from another hive, or consider purchasing another queen. Sorry that this is happening.
1 - 20 of 31 Posts
MAQS in my opinion is a defective product. I do NOT recommend it and in fact recommend against it for the reasons stated above. Treating a hive using 2 MAQS strips at any temperature I have found will at the very least severely upset normal activity inside the hive to include immediate stoppage of the queen laying and very likely a high mortality rate for all of the bees, brood, and in more than a few cases the queen. It will severely hamper foraging and honey production if used during a nectar flow.
The above having been said, IF the temperatures are below 80 degrees & predominantly in the 70's (daytime high) and you understand the risk you are taking........treating with MAQS using the SINGLE strip method using the (what NOD has now changed to due to high losses) 21 day treatment installing a SINGLE strip for 14 days followed by a 2nd strip for 7 days.
My strong suspicion is that MAQS are NOT being properly stored by bee supply distributors as well as bee supply distributors selling almost ready to expire MAQS at discounted prices (you know who you are
). MAQS are required to be stored below 25°C (77°F) and out of direct sunlight. I have serious doubts distributors are doing this. Elevated temperatures increase the rate at which the formic acid breaks down the paper liners of the MAQS which are designed to moderate and meter out the formic acid dosage over time.
Pick your poison, when no brood is present OAV is an excellent treatment. Apivar is another great treatment for holding mites at minimum levels. Neither of these treatments kill reproductive mites in the comb under capped cells. Only Formic acid and thermal treatment does that. Thermal treatment is VERY effective however there is research evidence that elevated temperatures can adversely impact sperm viability in the queen.
The above having been said, IF the temperatures are below 80 degrees & predominantly in the 70's (daytime high) and you understand the risk you are taking........treating with MAQS using the SINGLE strip method using the (what NOD has now changed to due to high losses) 21 day treatment installing a SINGLE strip for 14 days followed by a 2nd strip for 7 days.
My strong suspicion is that MAQS are NOT being properly stored by bee supply distributors as well as bee supply distributors selling almost ready to expire MAQS at discounted prices (you know who you are
). MAQS are required to be stored below 25°C (77°F) and out of direct sunlight. I have serious doubts distributors are doing this. Elevated temperatures increase the rate at which the formic acid breaks down the paper liners of the MAQS which are designed to moderate and meter out the formic acid dosage over time. Pick your poison, when no brood is present OAV is an excellent treatment. Apivar is another great treatment for holding mites at minimum levels. Neither of these treatments kill reproductive mites in the comb under capped cells. Only Formic acid and thermal treatment does that. Thermal treatment is VERY effective however there is research evidence that elevated temperatures can adversely impact sperm viability in the queen.
1 - 20 of 31 Posts
