Andermatt Canada Offers Solutions for Treatment of Varroa Mite

 

Why use Varroa mite treatments?

Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) infestations within a hive can harm a bee colony. Varroa infestation results in smaller and weaker bees unable to work as hard with shorter lifespans, which puts stress on a bee colony and is considered as a contributing factor towards the risk of colony collapse.

​

• Support healthy and productive colony

• Reduce disease transmission within a hive

• Increase colony survival

 

Any varroacide product used as a treatment against Varroa should be used as part of a combined Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy alongside good husbandry, hygiene and physical measures and not relied upon as the single solution.

​

When to use Varroa mite treatments?

There is no single ideal time for treatment with varroacides. The optimum time for treatment will be determined by factors such as beekeeping practice, health of the colony and varroa population. Treatments should be carried out as a result of varroa monitoring (e.g. mite fall) passing an action threshold. The best controls result from using a combination of methods at different times of the year depending on the level of infestation.

​

However, for most beekeepers the main treatment time is late summer to early autumn – between harvesting honey and preparing colonies for winter. At this time colony size will be reducing while infestation will be continuing to increase. The aim of treatment is to significantly reduce the mite population, thus protecting the last few brood cycles that produce the young bees needed for successful colony survival over winter.

​

Which Varroa mite treatment / tool to use?

The best suited product will depend on the time of year treatment is to be made.

Spring Oxalic acid spray to reduce the varroa infestation before the honey frames are mounted.

Summer/Early Autumn: After the honey harvest the prolonged gradual release period of Thymovar (Thymol) provides extended treatment period to ensure maximum number of open brood cells receive a treatment. This is the most common treatment period for beekeepers.

​

• Late Autumn/Winter: Liquid Oxalic acid trickle application to brood-less colony to reduce adult varroa population riding on bees through the winter.

• Winter: Oxalic acid dihydrate crystals can be vaporised with Varrox vaporizer or the Varrox Eddy.

 

For more information on the range of products offered by Andermatt Canada, reach out to connect with our knowledge support team.