Can I Check Honey Supers While Treating with Formic Pro Mite Treatment?

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David D from Sudbury, MA asks:

I’m treating my hives with Formic Pro at this time. I know you shouldn’t manipulate the hive during treatment, but what about checking honey supers and adding or taking them away?                                    

Rusty Burlew replies:

You can go online and read the official EPA label for Formic Pro and you can also go to the manufacturer’s site and find the usage FAQs. For the health of your bees, these two documents should be followed as closely as possible.

However, the FAQ sheet reads, “Do not disturb colonies during the treatment period” and the EPA label reads, “Do not disturb brood chamber frames during the application process,” so it’s not totally clear how the supers, which are above the brood chamber, should be handled. My take on it would be to stay away from the hive during treatment, but if for some compelling reason you need to check a honey super, stay above the brood chamber, work quickly, and get out as soon as possible. Both documents say it is preferable to leave at least one honey super in place during treatment to give the bees more room to roam.