Post by mikebeeman on Mar 1, 2013 10:31:49 GMT
I will be using this treatment this year
February 27th 2013, MAQS® Beehive Strip has received
registration in the United Kingdom for beekeeper’s use. It has received approval by VMD
(Veterinary Medical Department).<?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p></o:p>
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The beekeepers of the United Kingdom now have a new tool to combat
the most serious threat to its honeybees, the Varroa destructor parasitic
mite. Left untreated, Varroa mites
will transmit viruses that weaken a honeybee colony. Millions of colonies across
Europe have died in recent years from this parasitic
mite.<o:p></o:p>
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MAQS® is a saccharide gel strip formulation of formic acid, an
effective active ingredient that is naturally occurring in honey. Because the Varroa mites reproduce on
the developing baby bee, transmitting viruses that deform the bee, their control
is being approached as a brood disease.
The saccharide gel formic acid vapours released from the saccharide gel
strip penetrate the brood cap, stopping the mite where it reproduces. The initial target was the male mite,
which never leaves the brood cell.
However, trials show that it is also very effective on all stages of the
female mite. It is the first mite
treatment to successfully target Varroa mite
reproduction.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
The concept of MAQS® Beehive Strip was first developed in
Canada, by NOD Apiary Products Ltd. operating in the UK as NOD Europe. NOD’s personnel worked with BASF’s
scientists to overcome technical barriers, the solution to which was BASF’s
biodegradable and compostable film Ecoflex®. The resulting treatment is just 7 days.
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The physical product will be available in the UK from early April
2013
