Spring Varroa Control with Apivar: A Comprehensive Guide
When To Treat For Varroa?
As dedicated beekeepers, ensuring the health and vitality of our honeybee colonies is of paramount importance. One of the most significant threats facing these essential pollinators is the Varroa destructor mite. These parasitic pests feed on both adult bees and developing brood, weakening the colony, transmitting viruses, and ultimately leading to colony collapse if left unchecked.
Varroa mites reproduce at an alarming rate, making early intervention and effective treatment a critical aspect of responsible hive management. Neglecting to address Varroa infestations can have devastating consequences for the long-term survival and productivity of your beehives.
Introducing Apivar: The Trusted Varroa Solution
Among the arsenal of Varroa treatments available to beekeepers, Apivar stands out as a reliable and proven option. Developed by Veto-Pharma, Apivar utilises the active ingredient amitraz to combat Varroa infestations effectively. Its simplicity of use, long-lasting efficacy, and minimal impact on hive activities make it a popular choice among beekeepers worldwide.
Why Choose Apivar for Spring Treatment?
Spring marks a critical period for beekeepers, as colonies emerge from the winter months and begin their rapid expansion. It's during this time that Varroa populations can surge, putting added pressure on the developing brood and weakening the overall health of the hive.
Apivar's timed release formula ensures sustained treatment over several weeks, precisely when colonies are most vulnerable to Varroa infestations. By implementing Apivar as a spring treatment, you can effectively manage Varroa populations and give your bees the best chance of thriving throughout the season.
Key Benefits of Apivar
Proven Efficacy
Apivar has been extensively tested and proven effective in controlling Varroa mite populations, providing a reliable solution for beekeepers worldwide. The active ingredient, amitraz, has demonstrated its ability to effectively reduce Varroa levels within treated colonies, ensuring the long-term health and vitality of your bees.
Ease of Use
With its simple application method, Apivar strips can be effortlessly installed in the hive, minimising disturbance to the bees and streamlining the treatment process. This user-friendly approach allows beekeepers to focus on other essential hive management tasks while ensuring their colonies receive the necessary Varroa protection.
Long-lasting Protection
Unlike some Varroa treatments that require frequent application, Apivar's prolonged release ensures continuous protection against Varroa for up to 6-8 weeks. This extended duration allows beekeepers to plan their treatment schedule more effectively, without the need for constant monitoring and reapplication.
Minimal Resistance Development
The unique mode of action of amitraz in Apivar helps mitigate the development of resistance in Varroa populations, maintaining its effectiveness over time. This is a crucial consideration, as the emergence of resistant Varroa strains can render some treatments ineffective, leaving beekeepers with limited options for controlling these parasitic mites.
How to Apply Apivar
Assess Hive Strength
Before implementing Apivar as a spring treatment, it's essential to evaluate the strength and health of your colony. This assessment will help you determine the appropriate number of Apivar strips needed to effectively treat your hive.
Prepare the Hive
To ensure optimal conditions for the Apivar treatment, take the time to remove any excess debris or dead bees from the hive. This simple step helps create a clean and welcoming environment for the bees, allowing them to focus their energy on the treatment and their overall well-being.
Install Apivar Strips
When applying Apivar, place the recommended number of strips evenly between the frames in the brood chamber. It's crucial to ensure that the strips come into direct contact with the bees, as this allows for the effective distribution of the amitraz-based treatment throughout the colony. You need 1 strip for every 5 frames of bees. I generally use 2 strips per colony.
Monitor Progress
Regularly monitoring Varroa levels in your hive is an essential step in assessing the effectiveness of the Apivar treatment. You can use sticky boards or alcohol washes to track the mite population and ensure that the treatment is achieving the desired results.
Timing Your Spring Apivar Treatment
The timing of your Apivar application is crucial for maximising its effectiveness during the spring season. As a general guideline, you should aim to install the Apivar strips approximately 8 weeks before you plan to add your honey supers.
For example, if you typically put your supers on in the middle of April, you'll want to apply the Apivar treatment no later than the middle of February. This timing ensures that the Apivar strips have sufficient time to release the amitraz and effectively reduce Varroa populations before the bees begin their active foraging and honey production.
Supplementing Apivar with Additional Treatments
While Apivar is a highly effective Varroa treatment, it's often beneficial to supplement it with additional measures to ensure comprehensive mite control. One such approach is to incorporate Oxalic Acid treatments during the broodless period in late fall or early winter.
By layering these treatments, you can target Varroa at different stages of their life cycle, further reducing the mite population and providing your bees with the best possible protection. This multi-pronged approach helps to mitigate the risk of resistance development and ensures the long-term health and productivity of your colonies.
