InstantVap Varroa Treatment

The InstantVap was created by Janos Fenyosy who started the company in Hungary although the product has distributors across the world. In the UK it's Duncan Simmons from Simmons Apiaries. In the US its Lorob Bees (lorobbees.com).

It's important to note that the only Oxalic acid based treatment approved in the UK is Api-Bioxal. From the VMD (Veterinary Medicines Directorate) website "It’s illegal to use medicines not specifically approved for bees, unless prescribed by a vet".
Some of the videos showing the InstantVap are based in the US which do allow OA treatments.

Price: £375 inc vat (compact version due out soon maybe slightly less)

How to use

I've copied a video from Kamon Reynolds from Tennessee's Bees showing how to use the InstantVap below.

Compatible Batteries

You'll need your own batteries to power the InstantVap, this was to keep the costs down as it's likely most people will already have batteries for other power tools. When you purchase you'll need to pick which batteries you'll want to use as each model will only be compatible with one. They are:

• Parkside X20V-TEAM
• Einhell Power X Change
• Metabo
• Makita LXT
• Milwaukee M18
• Bosch GBA 18V
• Dewalt 18V
• AEG 18V

As a rough estimate for every 1aH of capacity you should be able to treat 10 hives based on a 2g treatment amount or 5 hives if using a 4g treatment amount.

How to clean the InstantVap

It's a good idea to clean the InstantVap after every 50 or so applications. Often the oxalic acid contains a small percentage of a binding agent, this can gradually crystallise on the copper pipe and over time block the exit of the vapour. It's easy enough to steam clean it, here's a video of Rob from Lorob Bees showing just how to do it.

InstantVap Compact

Update - The InstantVap Compact is now available to order in the UK, it's priced at £355.00 inc vat + postage and packing. At the time of writing the InstantVap Compact isn't available in the UK yet and is due to start shipping in the EU from the second week of January 2024.

The compact version has a few design improvements, Bruce Jenne from Alabama compares the differences between the older version and the new compact version: