Lactic Acid 15%
Behandlungsmittel
Lactic acid 15% ad us. vet. is applied as a spray solution.
Lactic acid 15% ad us. vet. is applied as a spray solution. Using a hand-held or pump-action atomizer, a fine mist is applied comb side by comb side onto the bees, also reaching the bees on the inner walls of the hive. The exact mode of action is not fully understood; as with oxalic acid, it is at least partly related to the acidic environment.
Lactic acid acts exclusively on mites outside the capped brood cells. It is considered particularly gentle on bees, but its efficacy is more variable and tends to be somewhat lower than that of oxalic acid. Experience shows that it works better in winter than in summer. For the treatment to be effective at all, it must be carried out twice a few days apart.
It is used mainly for winter treatment of broodless colonies in November and December, and as an exception in summer, for instance after hiving a package colony or when forming nucleus colonies. As dosage, the institutes state a maximum of about 8 milliliters per bee-covered comb side in German Normal or Zander size. Treatment is carried out in frost-free weather at around 5 to 6 °C, not significantly warmer, because otherwise the bees fly off and are no longer wetted. At outdoor temperatures below 4 °C, significantly higher mortality is to be expected. If open brood is present, spraying is done at an angle of 45 degrees so the brood is not damaged.
The classic mistake is spraying too wet. The bees should only be covered with a grey veil by a passing mist, not soaked. If they are wet and black, they die. A second mistake is a single application, which is not sufficient. It should also be considered that a spray treatment in winter briefly but strongly disturbs the colony's heat balance.
Lactic acid is approved as a veterinary medicinal product for bees. For the withdrawal period: there is no withdrawal period for treatment in late autumn or winter; after a summer treatment, only the honey from the following year's nectar flow may be used. The solution irritates skin and eyes, spray mist must not be inhaled. Protective gloves, safety goggles, and, if necessary, a half mask with an A1P2 or A2P2 filter are required.
Quellen (4)
- BfArM: Wortlaut der Standardzulassungen für Bienentherapeutika (Monographie Milchsäure 15 % ad us. vet.)
- LAVES Institut für Bienenkunde Celle: Leitfaden Varroa-Bekämpfung in Öko-Imkereien
- LLH Bieneninstitut Kirchhain: Infoblatt Varroazide
- BVL: Wortlaut der Standardzulassung Milchsäure 15 % ad us. vet.