Folbex VA

Fumigant strips for the diagnosis and control of honey bee mites.
Each strip contains 370 mg w/w bromopropylate.

General Information

The smoke given off by the smouldering strip contains bromopropylate, which controls the mites causing Acarine disease (Acarapis woodi) and varroa mites (Varroa jacobsoni), whilst being well tolerated by treated bee colonies. The smoke has no adverse affect upon the queen, or upon stores of pollen or honey.

Uses

Control of Acarine disease and varroa infestations of bees.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE
Method of Application

The treatment is given in the evening when the bees have ceased flying. Each hive should be prepared beforehand by adding, below the crown board, an empty shallow super in which the glowing fumigant strip can be hung vertically on a piece of wire in the space above the combs. The distance between the glowing strip and any part of the hive should be at least 30 mm (1.2") - Fig. 9.

In the evening when all the bees have returned - Fig. 1

Close the hive entrance - Fig. 2

Hang the strip and light the unattached end, blowout the flame and replace the hive roof - Fig. 3

Leave the hive undisturbed for 1 hour.

Check the hives for fire risk and complete combustion of the strip and then open the entrance - Fig. 4

If the strip has failed to burn out completely repeat after 24 hours.

The empty shallow super can be removed on the following day.

Bees must have access to uncapped food during treatment - Fig. 5

All colonies of an apiary should be treated simultaneously.

Acarine disease
Timing

Treatment for the control of Acarine disease is best carried out in warm weather in the spring or early summer period, as an annual precautionary measure, although treatments may be carried out when the diagnosis of the infestation is made.

Dose

Four to six applications of one fumigant strip per colony at intervals of 7 days.

For swarms and nuclei with six or fewer occupied standard combs: half a fumigant strip at each application.

Varroa disease:- Diagnosis and Treatment

The treatment for diagnosis and control of varroa mites should be preceded by the fitting of testing trays in the bottom of all hives (for the collection and subsequent identification of mites dropping off the bees).

Timing

Treatment for diagnosis of varroa infestations may be performed when the colonies are at the beginning or end of brood rearing (spring and autumn), when brood rearing activity is low - Fig. 6.

Dose

For a colony of seven or more occupied standard combs -

Diagnosis of varroa disease:

Two applications of one fumigant strip per colony at an interval of 4 days.

Control of varroa disease:

Four applications of one fumigant strip per colony at intervals of 4 days.

For swarms and nuclei with six or fewer occupied standard combs: half a fumigant strip at each application.