[Ian]

This is the first time I experienced a formic smell from one of my hives, strong enough to make my eyes water. I know what formic smells like, as I use to treat with it. What is going on?

 

[treeWinder]

Did you check for ant invasion?

 

[Andrew Dewey]

Maybe one of your neighbors is treating for you.

 

[stajerc61]

Has NOD apiary products opened a facility near you?

 

[Ian]

Did you check for ant invasion?

there is an ant colony under the pallet I have not taken care of yet. What is it about ants that smells like formic? I have had ants under my pallets before, and dont recall smelling formic before...

 

[hillbeekeeper]

Ants produce formic acid. It's the chemical ants use to put down a scent trail for other ants to follow. In fact, the word FORMA means ant.

 

[Ian]

interesting,

So, these ants were starting to build its nest between the boxes, from what your saying, they were creating this formic smell to draw ants up into the new nesting area?

A formic treatment would be an ant magnet to the hive?

 

[hillbeekeeper]

I don't know if a formic acid treatment would have that effect, but I suppose it could happen. Formic acid was one of the first organic acids synthesized in a lab. My biology professor in college said a neat trick was to tke formic acid and write your name with it on a sidewalk and come back in an hour or two and see your name spelled out in ants.

 

[Chemguy]

Ants produce formic acid. It's the chemical ants use to put down a scent trail for other ants to follow. In fact, the word FORMA means ant.

Right on. You might even call it ant-acid. (insert laugh track here).

More seriously, some rotting wood can also produce an acid smell. You might want to think about that as a possibility if you don't find any ants.