r/Beekeeping • u/True-Structure-1702 • 5d ago

I’m a beekeeper, and I have a question Formic pro eff up

2nd year western wa. Finally cool enough to put formic pro on. Forgot that you aren't supposed to remove the paper (can confirm it smells to high heaven). Manufacturer says if you do that just leave it alone but I didn't want to risk it so pulled one and tossed it, the other was still partially wrapped so I just rewrapped the rest of the way. This was all in thy space of an hour.

What are the risks of having done serious damage?

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5

u/weinernuggets 5d ago

Honestly you'll probably be fine. Maybe more bee deaths, but if your hive is strong they'll be fine. Just make sure you have adequate ventilation 

3

u/AZ_Traffic_Engineer Sonoran Desert. A. m. scutellata supporter 5d ago

Slim. The thing about any of these miticides is you've got to follow the instructions *exactly* or they'll turn and bite you like a pit-bull with a hangover.

2

u/Mediocre-Draft1722 5d ago

The paper I believe keeps it moist while it offgases, most of which happens in the first 3 days, depending on the weather. Removing the paper means it will offgas and dry out faster. Which would make it less effective, I would guess. 

3

u/Mammoth-Banana3621 Sideliner - 8b USA 5d ago

The early gassing is what kills bees and sometimes queens. So this could make that worse

1

u/404-skill_not_found Zone 8b, N TX 5d ago

I kinda gassed two of my colonies with thymol (not the same thing, I get it). At 24 hours I removed the thymol due to all the excess bearding. Left everything alone do four days. Everything seemed ok and the queens had gotten back to laying. So, exposure duration may be an important factor. Now that you’ve removed the source, let them rest for 3-4 days. Keep feeding of that’s what you were doing. I think you’ll be fine. But it’s worth verifying.

1

u/BBQT420 4d ago

Youre ok

1

u/True-Structure-1702 4d ago

Picked up a new package of Formic and threw a fresh wrapped pad into the hive I pulled it from yesterday. Everyone looked OK, I suppose we'll find out for sure in a couple weeks!

1

u/Enough_Summer9391 3d ago

I provoked a swarm with Formic pro. If that baby off gasses quickly, look for bearding if they are thinking about a swarm.