MAQS / Formic Pro (Formic Acid Strips)
Behandlungsmittel
MAQS is a solid formulation of formic acid: impregnated gel strips containing 68.2 grams of formic acid each, wrapped in a hardboard layer.
MAQS is a solid formulation of formic acid: impregnated gel strips containing 68.2 grams of formic acid each, wrapped in a hardboard layer. One dose consists of two strips, so the colony receives about 136 grams of formic acid. The acid evaporates more slowly and evenly from the wrapping than from an open liquid. The product is now continued under the name Formic Pro; the mode of action is the same.
Unlike with liquid formic acid, dosage is not based on hive volume but is set as a flat rate: one pouch with two strips per colony from about 10,000 bees. The strips are placed on top of the frames; the hardboard wrapping must not be removed, otherwise the acid evaporates too quickly. Treatment duration is seven days, with a repeat treatment possible no sooner than after one month. The split-application schedule over 14 days, additionally approved in North America, does not apply in Germany.
Like every formic acid preparation, the active substance also acts against mites in the capped brood, which distinguishes it from all other approved varroacides. A practical advantage of the solid formulation lies in its temperature behavior: the strips may be applied at daily temperatures of 10 to 29.5 °C and achieve a more reliable mite reduction even at lower temperatures than the liquid 60% acid. If the temperature is above this range in the first three days, brood mortality and queen losses increase.
A persistent misunderstanding circulates on the topic of honey. The withdrawal period is indeed zero days, but this is a statement about residues, not permission to treat with honey supers in place. The German-language package leaflet explicitly requires honey supers containing honey to be removed before treatment, and honey stored during treatment must not be used for human consumption. Only supers with already-extracted frames are permitted as additional space. The more permissive wording that suggests treatment during the nectar flow comes from the North American label. Studies by the Celle Bee Institute showed that cell cappings are permeable to formic acid vapor and that acid levels in the honey rise far beyond marketability if treatment is carried out with honey supers in place.
The most common application errors concern ventilation and colony strength. Entrance reducers and mouse guards must be removed so the full entrance opening is available, and hive volumes that are too small lead to overdosing. Occasional side effects described are increased mortality of adult bees, brood mortality, and queen loss; queen acceptance can be lost within a day. Feeding should not take place during treatment, and the colony should not be disturbed. When handling it, beekeeping protective clothing and chemical-resistant gloves are required, water should be kept ready, and the pouches should only be opened outdoors with one's back to the wind.
Quellen (4)
- Gebrauchsinformation Formicpro, imprägnierte Streifen für den Bienenstock, Fassung Deutschland/Österreich/Belgien, Stand 09/2024
- EU Union Product Database: Formicpro
- Emmerich, I.: Zugelassene Arzneimittel für Honigbienen in Deutschland, Berliner und Münchener Tierärztliche Wochenschrift 2018
- LLH Bieneninstitut Kirchhain: Infoblatt Varroazide (Formicpro als Nachfolger von MAQS)