The Types Of Varroa Mite Treatments Available

Effective Varroa Mite Treatments for Beekeepers

Understanding the Varroa Mite: An Overview
Organic Treatments: A Chemical-Free Approach
Synthetic Treatments: Pros and Cons
Mechanical and Physical Methods: Practical Solutions
Biological Controls: Leveraging Nature to Fight Mites
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Strategies
Monitoring and Evaluating Treatment Effectiveness
Case Studies: Successful Varroa Management Stories
How Can You Fight the Varroa Mite in Your Hives: Practical Tips for Beekeepers
Risks and Challenges in Varroa Mite Treatment
Future Trends: Innovations in Varroa Mite Control

The Varroa Destructor mite continues to be the greatest threat to hobbyist and commercial beekeepers alike across the country. Because of the devastation it can cause to honeybee colonies, we’ve dedicated a series of Snippets to managing mite levels and fighting the issues and diseases that varroa mites can bring to even the healthiest of honeybee colonies.

We’ve covered what varroa mites are and how they impact bees, the importance of finding out and understanding mite levels within your hives, and how you can go about creating your own plan for proactively managing varroa mites.

Even with all the right planning and preparation, mite levels can still spike within honeybee colonies, and it can happen quite quickly.

If you’ve completed your monthly mite checks and have found levels of mites that are at or exceed the treatment threshold, it may be time to treat your honeybee colonies. In this PerfectBee Snippet, we’ll go over what to know about treatments that are available to combat Varroa mite infestations and how to choose the right one for you and your bees.

Types of Treatments Available

There are a few different types of Varroa mite treatments approved for use by the EPA in honeybee colonies within the U.S., classified by the ingredients used. Keep in mind that each state has different regulations on what treatments are allowed, so check with your local beekeeping club or state’s agriculture department for more details on the treatments you can use in your state.

Here are the treatment types available and a couple of brand-name examples of each type:

Synthetic Chemicals: Apivar & Apistan
Natural Chemicals are broken down further into 2 categories:
- Organic Acids: Formic Pro, HopGuard II, Oxalic Acid
- Essential Oils: Apiguard, Api Life Var

Each treatment has varying active ingredients, efficacy levels, timing and temperature restrictions, methods of application, and colony-specific requirements. Read on for further information about available treatments.

You should always refer to the EPA label on your treatment’s packaging for full application details and instructions, as well as any temperature or beehive setup restrictions.

Treatment Application Considerations

Most mite treatments have certain restrictions or regulations for use. Some can be used during hot weather; some cannot be used and may harm bees if used over the temperature recommendations. Some require hive entrances remain closed, and some require you to fully open all entrances and screened bottom boards. One treatment may work to kill mites under brood cappings, whereas another may only work to kill phoretic mites.

It’s so important that we’re mentioning it again, you should make sure to always refer to the EPA label on your treatment’s packaging for full application details and instructions, as well as any temperature or beehive setup restrictions.

Knowing what any restrictions are, and how the product is recommended to be used according to the label, is essential to treating your bees for mites safely and effectively. It’s important to understand these restrictions before you even decide on a mite treatment. Read on for further details to help you choose the right treatment for you.

Mite Treatments Available to Purchase

We’ve compiled some information about many of the popular Varroa Mite treatments available to purchase, separated by the type of treatment they are. Keep in mind that your state may have its own approval and regulation process, so double-check that the treatment is approved for use with honeybee colonies in your state before purchasing. Mite treatments in the PerfectBee Store will let you know if a treatment is NOT approved in your state, so please read item descriptions carefully!

When choosing a treatment, ask yourself questions based on the information below. You’ll need to be thinking about things like “What are the outside temperatures in my area right now?” and “Did my colony already start rearing brood?”.

Use this information to help steer you in the right direction, but make sure to always refer to the EPA label on your treatment’s packaging for full application details and instructions, as well as any temperature or beehive setup restrictions.

Varroa mite treatment labels may change at any time, so keep an eye out for the most up-to-date version at the links below.

Synthetic Chemicals

Apivar

Active Ingredient: Amitraz (3.33%), formamidine insecticide
Method (see label for full details): Strips are hung between the frames in the brood nest. Hang strips so that bees can walk on them on both sides. Add 1 strip per 5 frames of bees, and add more strips depending on colony size. Add up to 4 strips per large colony. No more than 2 strips per brood box is allowed (see label for details). The insecticide is distributed on bees’ feet and bodies. It impairs nerve function in the mites, killing them.
Efficacy: 95%
Treatment Duration (see label for full details): Between 42 to 56 days. 42 days is the standard treatment duration, but it can be extended by an extra 14 days. When the brood nest has moved away from the treatment, reposition the strips.
Daytime Temperature Requirements (F=Fahrenheit): None, but it’s best if treatment is applied in spring, before the honey flow, or in early fall after honey has been harvested.
Are Honey Supers Allowed with Treatment? (according to the label): No, wait for 2 weeks after completion of the treatment to add supers.
Brood Presence: Brood can be present, the length of the treatment time allows for killing mites under the capped brood.
Colony Size (frames of bees): Strong Nucs and colonies that have at least 5 frames of bees.
Other Considerations: Some mite resistance has been reported, treatment with Apivar should be rotated with other treatments. Don’t use more than 2 treatments per year. May cause some adult bee mortality.
Link to Recent EPA Labels: EPA Label for Apivar

Organic Acids (Natural Chemicals)

Formic Pro

Active Ingredient: Formic Acid (42%)
Method (see label for full details): Pads are removed from outer packaging and placed directly across the top of the frames in the brood nest (see label for more details and instructional pictures).
Efficacy: 83-97%
Treatment Duration (see label for full details): 2 treatment options:
- 14 day treatment: Use 2 strips for 14 days
- 20 day treatment: Use 1 strip for 10 days, replaced with a 2nd strip for another 10 days.
Daytime Temperature Requirements (F=Fahrenheit): 50 F – 85 F during treatment. Temperature Sensitive – Temps are especially important in the 1st 4 days of treatment
Are Honey Supers Allowed with Treatment? (according to the label): Yes, supers can be left during treatment.
Brood Presence: Effective with brood presence as it does penetrate wax cappings and kills mites in capped brood.
Colony Size (frames of bees): The colony should be a minimum of 10,000 bees, covering roughly 6 deep frames.
Other Considerations (refer to label for full details): Remove entrance reducers to allow a full bottom opening. Ensure screened bottom boards are closed. Do not disturb the colony during the treatment, it is best if treatment is applied at least 3 days after inspection to minimize queen mortality and absconding. Dead brood removal and bee mortality may be observed at the entrance during and after treatment.
Link to Recent EPA Labels: EPA Label for Formic Pro

MiteAway Quick Strips

Active Ingredient: Formic Acid (46.7%)
Method (see label for full details): Pads are placed directly across the top of the frames in the brood nest (see label for details).
Efficacy: 61%-98%
Treatment Duration (see label for full details): 2 treatment options:
- 7 days: Use 2 strips for 7 days or
- 21 days: Use 1 strip for 14 days, replace with a 2nd strip for another 7 days.
Daytime Temperature Requirements (F=Fahrenheit): 50 F – 85 F during treatment. Temperature Sensitive –Temps are especially important in the 1st 4 days of treatment
Are Honey Supers Allowed with Treatment? (according to the label): Yes, supers can be left during treatment.
Brood Presence: Effective with brood presence as it penetrates wax cappings and kills mites in capped brood.
Colony Size (frames of bees): The colony should be a minimum of 10,000 bees, covering roughly 6 deep frames.
Other Considerations (refer to label for full details): Remove entrance reducers to allow a full bottom opening. Ensure screened bottom boards are closed. Do not disturb the colony during the treatment, it is best if treatment is applied at least 3 days after inspection to minimize queen mortality and absconding. Dead brood removal and bee mortality may be observed at the entrance during and after treatment.
Link to Recent EPA Labels: EPA Label for MiteAway Quick Strips

Oxalic Acid

Active Ingredient: Oxalic Acid Dihydrate
Method (see label for full details): 3 method options:
- 1. Vaporized with a special vaporizer at the hive entrance.
- 2. Oxalic Acid is mixed with sugar syrup and dribbled/trickled over the bees on and between frames in the brood nest.
- 3. Sprayed as sugar water solution on bees in packages.
Efficacy: 82% – 99%
Treatment Duration (see label for full details): 10 minutes or less
Daytime Temperature Requirements (F=Fahrenheit): No restrictions, but works best if temps are more than 37 F and less than 100 F
Are Honey Supers Allowed with Treatment? (according to the label): Yes, supers can be left during treatment.
Brood Presence: Does not penetrate brood cell cappings. Use in broodless colonies, packages, or swarms.
Colony Size (frames of bees): Can be used with packages and swarms.
Other Considerations (refer to label for full details): Can be used as a “clean up” Varroa treatment following the application of a different miticide, used when Varroa infestations continue to be problematic.
Link to Recent EPA Labels: EPA Label for Oxalic Acid

Hop Guard 3

Active Ingredient: Potassium Salt of Hop Beta Acids (16%)
Method (see label for full details): Cardboard strips are hung between frames in the brood nest. Add 1 strip per 5 frames of bees, and add more strips depending on colony size. Use up to 4 strips per large colony. No more than 2 strips per brood box is allowed (see label for details).
Efficacy: 70% – 85%
Treatment Duration (see label for full details): Use for up to 28 days (apply every 7 days)
Daytime Temperature Requirements (F=Fahrenheit): Above 55 F and under 100 F
Are Honey Supers Allowed with Treatment? (according to the label): Yes, supers can be left during treatment.
Brood Presence: Does not penetrate brood cappings, so the presence of capped brood lowers the efficacy.
Colony Size (frames of bees): Colonies, newly installed packages, and nucs. It works best if the colony is broodless.
Other Considerations (refer to label for full details): When treating colonies during hot and humid weather: fully open the hive entrance, remove inner covers (if present), open screened bottom boards (if present), and insert a shim or spacer under the outer cover. Leave strips in the hive for 14 days, but no more than 30 days.
Link to Recent EPA Labels: EPA Label for HopGuard

Essential Oils

Api Life Var

Active Ingredient: Thymol (74%), Eucalyptus oil (16%), Menthol (4.7%)
Method (see label for full details): Flat tablets/waffles are placed directly on the frames, in the corners of the brood nest box.
Efficacy: 70% – 90%
Treatment Duration (see label for full details): 21-30 days (3 treatments at 7-10 day intervals).
Daytime Temperature Requirements (F=Fahrenheit): 64 F – 95 F
Are Honey Supers Allowed with Treatment? (according to the label): No, wait at least 1 month after treatment before adding supers. Don’t use during nectar flow.
Brood Presence: Doesn’t penetrate brood cappings, so the presence of capped brood lowers efficacy.
Colony Size (frames of bees): 8-20 Frames
Other Considerations (refer to label for full details): Apply in the early morning or evening (when temps are lowest). Do not apply when robbing is occurring. Reduce entrances and close screened bottom boards.
Link to Recent EPA Labels: EPA Label for Api Life Var

Apiguard

Active Ingredient: Thymol (25%)
Method (see label for full details): Apiguard gel is inside a small tray, which is laid on top of frames in the center of the brood nest. The gel slowly evaporates, and bees help to spread it around the hive in trying to remove it.
Efficacy: 74% – 95%
Treatment Duration (see label for full details): Total of 28 days: 2 series of 14-day treatments, using new gel trays for each treatment.
Daytime Temperature Requirements (F=Fahrenheit): 60 F – 105 F Temperature sensitive
Are Honey Supers Allowed with Treatment? (according to the label): No, but you can add supers immediately after treatment is completed and gel trays are removed. Do not use during nectar flow.
Brood Presence: Does not penetrate brood cappings, so the presence of capped brood lowers efficacy.
Colony Size (frames of bees): Can be used with Nucs and small colonies. Combine weak colonies before treatment.
Other Considerations: Workers must have access to the gel – Allow at least 1/2″ of space between the top of the gel tray and the bottom of the inner cover. A shim or extra hive box should be added so that the gel can properly evaporate. Overdosing can cause absconding, increased mortality, and defensiveness in bees.
Link to Recent EPA Labels: EPA Label for Apiguard

Apistan and CheckMite+ are two synthetic chemical treatments that may also be available, but these are not recommended as mites have developed a resistance to them, and because the chemicals may stay in wax after use.

Mechanical Approaches

Though not as immediately effective or as impactful as chemical treatments for varroa mites, there are some mechanical approaches worthy of mentioning when it comes to managing mites.

A mechanical approach to mite management is something that you, the beekeeper, will manipulate within the hive to help manage mites, or to help the bees to manage mite levels themselves.

Many of these methods are more proactive in their approach, so take caution when using them in hives that could or do have higher mite loads. They may need to be used together with a chemical treatment to control mite populations. If they’re used early in the season, they may help to slow down mite population growth.

Here are a few great mechanical options:

Drone Brood Removal – Since varroa mites prefer to use drone cells to reproduce in (as they are bigger to hold more mite eggs and have a longer time before drones emerge, allowing better mite development), drone brood can be used to “trap” varroa mites hiding out in the cells.
- One option is to add a green frame of “drone comb” (green allows the beekeeper to easily distinguish this frame from others) to a colony encourages drone production and allows a beekeeper to remove any mites that are hiding within those cells.
- You can also make 2 squared cutouts in the foundation in the bottom two corners, approximately 3”x6”. If you let bees build comb of their choosing in these corners, they’ll often choose to build drone comb there. The small section of drone brood is similar to the normal amounts of brood produced in the colony (over the full frame of drone brood), and it’s very easy to remove. Using cutouts in frames can also reduce the amount of drone brood built in between frames. Another simple option is to add “half frames”, like using a medium frame in a deep box or a frame with no foundations and starter strips only. This allows bees to build from the bottom; they’ll often build drone comb there.
After capping, remove all drone brood & keep in mind the timing is very important with either approach! Remove all drone comb after cells have been capped, but ensure it’s removed before drones emerge, or you allow extra mites to breed & emerge into your hive with them. Freeze the frame for at least 24 hours to kill any mites under cappings, scrape the cappings off, then return the frame back to the hive so bees can remove the drones or clean it out yourself. Then, the process starts over again.
If your colony is weak, they may not be able to clean out the dead drones themselves. You can remove most of the frozen drones yourself, but that’s a pretty gross task. If you or someone you know has chickens, they’ll happily clean the frames out for you!
Mite trapping in drone brood can be done in the spring/summer months but should NOT be done if you plan to consider queen rearing with that colony.

Screened Bottom Board – We’ve talked about how screened bottom boards can help you to easily obtain a rough estimate of mite levels in a hive, but did you know that it can work to help decrease mite invasion into brood cells, too? By using a screened bottom board instead of a solid bottom board, any phoretic mites that have fallen off or been groomed from bees within the hive fall through the screen onto the tray below and have difficulty climbing back into the hive and back onto bees. Because fewer mites enter brood cells, a small decrease in mite populations may be seen. This method may not be enough to keep mite levels from spiking, though, so ensure you are testing regularly and using other control methods when necessary.
Powdered sugar – Sprinkling powdered sugar directly on top of bees can stimulate grooming behavior and can serve as a method for mite control, especially when used with screened bottom boards. This option isn’t likely to control mite populations on its own but can be used to increase grooming and increase the number of dropped mites onto screened bottom boards dislodged from bees by the sugar, unable to get back onto bees. Try to sprinkle the sugar on bees but not in developing larvae cells.
Brood Break – Introducing a brood break, or making the colony temporarily brood-less, involves completing tasks like making a split or isolating the queen and can have varroa mite management benefits. Keep an eye out for a future Snippet, where we’ll go into detail on methods and reasons for initiating a brood break.
Re-Queening with a VSH Breed – Adding colonies with Varroa Sensitive Hygenic genetics can help to fight varroa mite populations through the behavior of these bees. You can add colonies to your bee yard bred from VSH stock or re-queen your current colony with a VSH bred queen to introduce those genetics and behaviors to your current colonies. Learn more about ways that genetic hygienic behavior can help fight mites in your bee yard in our Snippet, here.

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