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Formic Pro is an effective organic solution for controlling Varroa mites in beehives. Using formic acid, it works during honey flow and is safe for honey intended for human consumption. Formic Pro's slow-release formula eliminates mites in both adult bees and capped brood cells by penetrating the brood cap to protect growing baby bees in the pupal stage. Formic Pro can be applied to single or double brood chamber hives.
With a two-year shelf life from the date of manufacture, it's easier on the queen and brood while delivering comprehensive mite control. Each package can treat multiple hives, depending on the size, making it an efficient option for small to large beekeeping operations.
Place two Formic Pro strips across the top bars of your hive's brood nest. The treatment requires daytime temperatures between 50-85 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal results. For the 14-day treatment, remove both strips after two weeks. We recommend placing it in the hive towards the evening if being used in the higher end of the temperature range.
For the 20-day treatment, apply one strip, then replace it with a second after 10 days. Ensure the hive entrance is fully open for ventilation during treatment. Follow all safety instructions on the packaging for best results. Formic Pro should be stored out of direct sunlight to maintain its efficacy.
Formic Pro is available in three package sizes, each designed to treat a specific number of hives. Each package contains formic acid pads that are easy to apply. Any unused strips should be stored in their original container to maintain effectiveness.
Beekeepers can choose the pack size based on the number of hives they manage, ensuring they have the appropriate amount for effective mite control.
Formic Pro strips offer a safe and organic solution to Varroa mite infestations, being a formic acid treatment and a specific type of Formic Pro treatment. Formic Pro is designed for use in honey bee colonies. Using formic acid, they effectively target mites in both adult bees and capped brood cells, ensuring comprehensive protection. The biodegradable strips release formic acid slowly over a 14- to 21-day treatment period.
They can be used during honey flow and leave no residue, making them a safe choice for hives with honey intended for human consumption. With a two-year shelf life from the date of manufacture, beekeepers can store Formic Pro for future use. Packages are available in multiple sizes, with enough strips to treat between 1 and 15 hives, depending on the pack chosen. Formic Pro is one of several treatment options available for managing Varroa mites.
Formic Pro needs daytime temperatures between 50°F and 85°F to work correctly, which in most climates lines up with spring and fall — too hot in the height of summer, too cold in winter. Unlike oxalic acid, formic acid penetrates capped brood, so you don't need a broodless period to treat effectively — you can still apply it any time temps cooperate, including with honey supers on.
Tropilaelaps mites (Tropilaelaps mercedesae and related species) are a second, faster-reproducing mite threat established across Asia, and they're moving west — confirmed in Russia's Krasnodar region near the Black Sea and in Uzbekistan, with suspected detections in Iran and Turkey. They aren't established in the US yet as of September 2026.
Peer-reviewed field studies out of Thailand and the Caucasus region have found formic acid effective against Tropilaelaps in colonies carrying both mite species. Worth knowing, though Formic Pro's current US EPA label covers varroa mites — there's no US registration for Tropilaelaps yet because the pest isn't established here.
If you see irregular brood patterns, deformed bees, or a colony declining faster than your varroa counts explain, check your varroa treatment first before assuming it's something else. If it still doesn't add up, contact your state apiary inspector or USDA APHIS.