Treatments for Varroa Mites
- Apivar. Apivar is an amitraz-based acaricide. It "does not kill mites directly, but is rather considered as a sub-lethal...
- Api Life Var. Api Life Var "is a natural effective solution to control Varroa Mites infestation" using a combination of...
- Apistan. Apistan is a pyrethroid based anti-miticide used in treating for Varroa Mites. It was one...
How to get rid of varroa mites naturally?
Soft Chemicals
- Formic acid. Formic acid occurs naturally in the venom of honey bees and is a natural component of honey. ...
- Oxalic acid. Oxalic acid is a naturally-occurring compound found in plants, such as rhubarb, kale, beets, and spinach. ...
- Thymol. Essential oils are natural compounds distilled from plants. ...
- Hops beta acids. ...
Is amitraz resistance in Varroa real?
There is currently no evidence of resistance to amitraz, the active ingredient in Apivar strips. Amitraz has been used worldwide for Varroa mite control for a long time – as much as 30 years in some regions. Apivar strips have been authorized and widely used in Europe since 1995. Amitraz is highly unstable in the typical hive environment.
How to treat for Varroa mites with apiguard?
Apiguard is a thymol-based treatment for Varroa mites, which is a component of botanical thyme oil. A full dose of Apiguard consists of one foil pack added to a hive for two weeks, which is then replaced with a second foil pack for an additional two weeks.
What is your way for Varroa mite treatments?
- Pour 1 to 2 inches of rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) into a clear 1-pint jar or container with a solid lid.
- Brush or shake approximately 200 adult bees from a frame with emerging brood into the container.
- Vigorously shake the container for at least 30 seconds, and then examine the container for dead mites sinking to the bottom. ...
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What is the safest varroa mite treatment?
Potassium salts of hops beta acids are derived from the hops plant and it is safe for use any time of the year, even during the honey flow. However, it is more effective as a mite control treatment when there is less brood because it does not go through the cell cappings.
What is the best way to treat for varroa mites?
10:0317:43How to treat honey bees for Varroa Mites with Mite Away Quick Strips ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd we've determined that we have to treat these bees. Your only option during a nectar flow. AndMoreAnd we've determined that we have to treat these bees. Your only option during a nectar flow. And when your honey supers are on is might awake quick strips. Now this is not an advertisement from
What varroa mite treatment can be used with honey supers on?
formic acidOf the three products, formic acid (available commercially as Formic Pro) is the summer mainstay because it has two important features: It can be used when honey supers are in place and it kills varroa mites under brood cappings, meaning all of the varroa in the hive are vulnerable to it.
Should I treat for varroa mites?
Calculate Mite Percentage Using 300 Bees: If we find 9 varroa in this number of bees, you have a 3% infestation level. i.e. 9 mites/300 bees = 3 mites per/100 bees. At this rate, I would definitely treat for varroa mites. But, what if you find a 2% infestation or even 1%.
What is the difference between Apivar and apistan?
In the case of Apistan resistance has been shown by the mites, whereas Apivar can be used for a prolonged time. However, the better option is to use both of them alternatively to eliminate any chance of developing resistance by mites to any of them. Stability: Apivar is considered less stable than Apistan.
Does oxalic acid harm bees?
Honey bees have a low tolerance to Oxalic Acid. Overexposure can cause issues and death in the hive. As with any other treatment, some bee mortality may occur, especially if hive is already weak.
Is Apivar safe for honey?
Apivar is a miticide that kills Varroa mites without leaving significant residues in honey or wax.
Can I use Apivar and oxalic acid together?
Preventing Mite Resistance to Apivar Use a rotation of other treatments such as apiguard (thymol based), oxalic acid or formic acid.
Does Apiguard contaminate honey?
A: It is preferable to remove supers before treating with Apiguard. Apiguard may taint honey in supers, but it is unlikely, especially if the honey stores are sealed. Apiguard may taint the brood wax, and low traces may reach the wax of the supers.
Is Apivar formic acid?
Another organic substance, formic acid (sold as Mite Away Quick Strips® or Formic Pro®) and Apivar®, a synthetic miticide, were 2nd and 3rd, respectively. The vast majority of 178 beekeepers surveyed used multiple miticides, a widely accepted practice to avoid developing resistance to one chemical.
How late can I treat for varroa mites?
Late Season Varroa Mite Treatment OptionsProductActive IngredientLength of TreatmentApi-Bioxal™ (dribble or vaporization)Oxalic acidSingle doseApiguard™Thymol28 daysApivar™Amitraz42 - 56 daysFormic Pro™Formic acid14 or 20 days
Is amitraz safe for bees?
Amitraz has to be metabolised (essentially 'modified') before it is active. This modification occurs much less well in bees than in mites. In fact, the toxicity of Amitraz for bees has been determined to be about 7000 times less than in mites.
Best Varroa Mite Treatment For Beehives
Are you looking for the best varroa mite treatment for bees in your apiary?Something that works perfectly with no harm to the honey bees?Well, we a...
Tips For Choosing A Varroa Mite Treatment
Keeping good records in a notebook or beekeeping log, has helped me keep track of the condition of my colonies. If you have several hives, it is ha...
When Should You Treat For Varroa Mites?
As a mite infestation grows larger, problems become more noticeable. How many mites are too many? It depends. (If you thought I was going to give y...
Mechanical Methods Dealing With Varroa Mites in Bees
Beekeepers use mechanical (non-chemical) methods of mite control. Some of these may help, but they are not enough when used alone.Using screened bo...
Using Approved Chemicals – A Practical Treatment For Varroa
Research has provided us with several chemical treatment options. If you choose to use these synthetic chemicals, it is important to rotate them. U...
Using Essential Oils For Varroa Mite Treatment
Essential oils are used to promote good health in honey bee colonies. Another use of essential oils, is combating varroa mites. You can prepare you...
The Acids – Organic Varroa Mite Treatment For Bees
Mite Away Quick Strips – formic acid (organic acid) works as a fumigant. The biodegradable treatment pads remain in place for 7 days. After 7 days,...
Vaporization of Oxalic Acid
Oxalic Acid Vaporization – This method of using OA is a favorite in Europe where it has been used with good results for years. Here is how it works...
You Choose The Plan For Your Bees
In summary, the beekeeper is in charge of managing the bees. You may choose to do nothing and see if the bees survive.Perhaps, the first varroa mit...
What is Api Life Var?
Api Life Var "is a natural effective solution to control Varroa Mites infestation" using a combination of four natural products: thymol, eucalyptus oil, l-menthol, and camphor. The new formulation relies on a reduced dosage of thymol which reduces side effects from higher concentrations of thymol. "
How often should I use hop guard?
Treatment consists of one strip per every 5 frames of bees over a 4 week period. Its maximum use is suggested to be three times per year for a total of 6 strips). Hopguard may be used during honey storage periods.
When to use Apistan strips?
You may apply Apistan strips anytime when the bees are able to move about the hive as it is a contact-based treatment . But, you should not treat with it during the honey flow.
Does Apivar kill mites?
Apivar is an amitraz-based acaricide. It "does not kill mites directly, but is rather considered as a sub-lethal miticide with an original mode of action from neurotoxicity type, different from other current Varroacides. Acting on the synaptic transmission of mites, it leads to constant excitation and paralysis, followed by mite drop from the bee's back. Secondarily, Varroa dies due to starvation as a result of this paralysis. Amitraz acts by contact only."
Can honey supers be installed after treatment?
There are pockets of resistance to the active ingredients, therefore, if you choose this treatment, you have to verify that it is working. This treatment works best if daytime temperatures are greater than 50° F (10° C).
Can you use Apivar on honey?
It is also not suitable to use it during the honey flow. Studies have shown that Apivar kills 95% of the Varroa Mites in a colony with only one treatment. If you treat with Apivar, you may place Supers on the hive two weeks after treatment removal. You should not use it more than two times per year.
What is the best varroa mite treatment?
One is a synthetic chemical and one is a softer essential oil based treatment. Both are approved for use in beehives. Api Life Var (thymol, eucalyptol oil, menthol, camphor) Api Life VAR is another contender for the best varroa mite treatment. This product features a green spongy pad impregnated with oils.
Can varroa mites be killed?
In most varroa mite control plans, the goal is not necessarily a complete kill of every mite – rather a reduction in infestation levels. Ideally, we seek something that works well with no risk of harm to the bees. But even some approved treatments, pose concern about contamination of beeswax or honey.
Can you use oxalic acid for mites?
Used in Europe for years, beekeepers in the United States can now use oxalic acid as a varroa mite treatment. Oxalic acid (Oxalic acid dihydrate-organic acid) is used in two ways for mite control – as a drizzle or as a fumigant.
How often do bees use drone comb?
Subsequently, the drone comb is cut out one to three times – each time when the brood is mostly capped. Because the Varroa mites parasitize drone brood approx. 12 times more frequently than worker brood, this procedure can reduce Varroa infestation in spring by up to 80% [21].
What chemicals are harmful to bees?
Although it is certainly better to rely on natural substances instead of synthetic ones, they can also be harmful to bees. In Switzerland, thymol and formic acid are mainly used for summer treatment and oxalic acid for winter treatment. All three chemicals trigger a stress reaction in the bees’ metabolism [7]. Oxalic acid has also been shown to accumulate in the digestive system of bees, causing organ damage [8]. All three substances increase bee mortality and slow down the colony’s development [9-15]. Both organic acids (formic and oxalic acid) can also cause queen losses [9,13].
Can varroa mites kill bees?
These fungi can infect and kill arthropods (both bees and varroa mites belong to this group), but no Varroa-specific fungi are known yet. The examined fungi therefore carry the risk of infecting and harming the bees. Previous field trials have not yielded very promising results. Just a small or little effect against the varroa mite could be determined [31-32], while on the other hand some studies proved to do harm to the bees. Certain treatments resulted in increased mortality rates and a reduction in the learning ability of the bees [31,33].
Do pseudoscorpions live in beehives?
Worldwide, several species of pseudoscorpions live naturally in beehives. The species native to Europe is the so-called book scorpion (Chelifer cancroides). The presence of the book scorpion in beehives has decreased with modern beekeeping. Chemical Varroa treatments are also deadly for the book scorpion. In addition, the scorpions need sufficient hiding places for survival in the beehive, which are often not available in modern hive systems. This decrease is regrettable as recent studies have shown that pseudoscorpions can feed on varroa mites and kill up to 9 mites per day [27-30]. However, the extent to which book scorpions can reduce a colony’s varroa infestation has not yet been investigated and their potential for varroa control is uncertain.
Do varera mites reproduce in capped brood cells?
The Varroa mites reproduce inside the capped brood cells and show a strong preference for drones over worker brood. The two biomechanical treatment methods, aim to use this as an advantage.
Is varroa mites poisonous to honey bees?
This means that substances used on varroa mites are poisonous also for the honey bee. However, the effect is smaller due to the larger body mass (higher LD50) of the honey bee [2]. In general, there are two forms of chemicals: synthetic and natural chemicals.
What is a varroa mite?
Varroa mites (Varroa destructor), are the most influential of all of the pests and diseases of the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) today. Figure 1. The varroa mite, Varroa destructor. Photo by Kate Anton.
Why do varroa mites not reproduce?
Varroa mites do not reproduce within queen cells because of the repellency of royal jelly and the very short post-capping period of queens (7 days). When honey bee brood is present in the colony, the majority of varroa mites are in the capped brood reproducing where they can often escape chemical treatments. Figure 2.
What is mite resistant stock?
Resistant Stock. Using mite-resistant bees can limit the reliance on chemicals for varroa mite control. To that end, various bee stocks with mite-resistant traits have been developed. Imports have emphasized European honey bees that have been in contact with varroa mites for a long time.
How long does it take for a Varroa mite to reproduce?
Varroa mites reproduce in cells with developing workers and drones (Figure 2). Drone brood cells are larger and the post-capping stage is longer (15 days for drones versus 11 days for workers), which allows the mite to produce more offspring per cycle.
Do varroa mites reproduce in honey bees?
The life cycle of varroa mites and honey bee drones and workers. Varroa mites reproduce in the capped cells of developing honey bees. Because of the slower development of drones, varroa mites preferentially infest drone cells, which can then be used as a trap. Image by Nick Sloff.
Can Varroa bees remove mites?
Varroa Sensitive Hygiene (VSH) bees can recognize and remove mite-infested pupae. Bees that remove dead brood quickly are hygienic and are thought to be better at removing mites from the hive, as well. Other desirable traits include the recognition by the bees that the mites, themselves, are present and undesirable.
A common misconception
A question I get quite often from beekeepers is “When will there finally be something against the varroa mite?”. My answer is always that there already are different varroa treatments. Used properly, they control the parasite sufficiently for healthy and productive colonies.
Varroa treatments are medicines
Going the treatment route, however, isn’t as easy as it may seem. You have to find a substance that works. That kills the parasite, but not the bees. That doesn’t leave residues in the bee products. Finally, that is safe for the user and the environment. After that, you have to put it in a form the beekeeper can handle easily and correctly.
Why varroa treatments matter and what to look out for
While it amuses me that varroa treatments make their way into TV crime shows, I’m not at all amused by the fraudulent activities of this company and all the others before them. I’ve been thinking quite a lot why cases like this always make me so upset. The thing is: bee health is important to me.
Active substances registered in the EU
Finally, here are the active substances in varroa treatments that are common in the EU. The products partially change in the different member states, that’s why I said to look them up in your country.
