I have not tried the MAQS strips. However, many years ago I did experiment using pads soaked in 80% formic acid (from memory that is the working concentration or it could be 60% ) pinned to the back wall of the brood box I found that it killed mites without any problems but it also caused queen problems, the bees simply ball the queen and if she survives then she will be superseded at a time of year when mating is not favourable so the colony ends up with either a damaged queen or an infertile queen. I would now only use formic if the queen was removed to a nuc before treatment and reintroduced - just too much bother for me.
I also know of several in Belfast who are reporting queen losses, I even warned some not to use MAQS but others in the club were saying they had used it with no problems and were encouraged by the "club experts" to use MAQS instead of thymol based treatments. I only know one person that uses electronic OA treatment who swears by it, I am seriously considering making a rig and as someone said the apairy wheel barrow can be used to haul the battery.
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