ApiVar Strips

How much does ApiVar cost?

This varies but most UK suppliers, the prices at the time of writing in the UK are listed below.

• Thorne - £33.50
• Abelo - £33.50
• Beekeeping Supplies UK - £31.85
• Paynes - £33.50
• Cwynne Jones- £33.00

How many strips to use per hive?

Always check the label for directions of use but for UK standard national hives it's recommended to use 1 strip for every 5 frames of bees meaning 2 strips would be required for a national deep box. If use 14x12 national boxes this is more likely going to mean 3 strips per box. Effectiveness is impaired with a lower dose or under treatment. A higher dose may increase the risk of residues in the hive.

How does ApiVar work?

When the strips are in the hive, Amitraz is slowly released over a period of weeks. This gradual release ensures a prolonged exposure of the mites to the chemical. The varroa mites come into contact with Amitraz as the bees move around within the hive and come into contact with the Amitraz.

Amitraz acts on the nervous system of the mites. It disrupts their normal neurological functions, ultimately leading to their paralysis and death. Amitraz is more toxic to Varroa mites than to honey bees, which allows for effective control of the mites without significant harm to the bees. However, beekeepers must use Apivar according to the recommended guidelines to minimize any potential risk to the bees.

How long to leave ApiVar strips in the hive?

The treatment period with Apivar usually spans 6 to 8 weeks to ensure that it affects mites throughout their life cycle, at any given time there will be mites in capped brood cells where they reside when reproducing.

As with any chemical treatment, there's a risk of mites developing resistance to Amitraz. Beekeepers are advised to rotate between different types of mite treatments each year and use integrated pest management strategies to reduce this risk. It's also important not to leave the strips in longer than 8 weeks to lower the risk of mites building resistance.

Apivar has been a valuable tool in beekeeping for managing Varroa mite infestations, but it's important for beekeepers to use it responsibly and in combination with other mite control strategies to maintain hive health and mitigate the development of resistance in mite populations.

When to treat with ApiVar?

You can't use this treatment if you have your honey supers on where you intend to extract the honey from any of the frames in the future as the Amitraz can taint the wax. It's most common to treat between August and October when the bees are still active. Some people also use it as a spring treatment before the supers go on.