The beekeeping industry is constantly changing as the demands for bees, and their beekeepers also change. Innovation in beekeeping is welcome as this seemingly ancient industry evolves to deal with the threats our bees face.It seems like varroa mites have been around forever, but they are a fairly young threat to bees that started in the late 1980s. Fortunately, beekeepers have help from an industry that wants to partner with them to help deal with this threat.
There have been a variety of varroa mite treatments available, and we now have the ability to choose better options than beekeepers in the 80s or 90s did, depending on our circumstances.
In 2023, Veto-Pharma, the maker of the popular varroa mite treatment Apivar, came out with a new formula. Apivar has been available in the US since 2013 and has worked well for beekeepers as a part of the normal varroa treatment rotation.
Apivar uses the active ingredient Amitraz which is approved by the EPA to be used to control varroa mites in honey bee colonies. This formula requires a 2-month treatment period because of its slow-release formula using plastic strips.
This has worked well and continues to work well, but the beekeeping industry requires a new formula to meet the needs of commercial beekeepers.
There are other options besides Amitraz like Hopguard, Formic Pro and Apiguard. They all work differently, and it’s wise to use these chemicals on rotation.
Varroa mites remain one of the biggest threats to honey bees, and effective treatment requires understanding their life cycle, monitoring mite levels, and using integrated pest management.
Amiflex is a new Amitraz-based varroa treatment from Veto-Pharma that offers fast, easy application, year-round use, and strong mite control, but it requires a Pesticide Applicator License.
Designed for commercial beekeepers, Amiflex provides a legal, consistent alternative to unregulated amitraz products, supports colony health, and pairs well with Apivar for long-term management.
Introduction to Varroa Mite Infestations
Varroa mite infestations represent one of the most serious threats facing honey bees and the beekeeping industry today. These tiny parasites, known scientifically as Varroa destructor, have a devastating impact on honey bee colonies by feeding on the fat bodies of bees and spreading harmful viruses, such as deformed wing virus. As varroa mites reproduce inside capped brood cells, they are able to evade many common treatments, making it a constant challenge for beekeepers to control varroa mites and protect their hives.
The life cycle of the varroa mite is closely tied to the brood rearing cycle of honey bees. Female mites enter brood cells just before they are capped, laying eggs that develop alongside the growing bee. This allows varroa mite populations to increase rapidly, especially during periods of intense brood production. High mite populations can weaken colonies, reduce the lifespan of winter bees, and ultimately lead to colony collapse if not managed effectively.
To combat this persistent threat, beekeepers use a combination of cultural, mechanical, and chemical strategies for varroa mite control. Cultural methods include selecting mite-resistant honey bee stocks, encouraging varroa sensitive hygiene traits, and creating brood breaks to disrupt the mite’s life cycle. Mechanical approaches, such as drone brood removal, screened bottom boards, and powdered sugar dusting, physically reduce mite numbers in the hive.
Chemical treatments, including the use of essential oils, formic acid, and oxalic acid, as well as newer products like Amiflex, are crucial tools for reducing varroa mite populations when used responsibly.
Timing is crucial when applying varroa mite treatments. Treating colonies in the fall, before the production of winter bees, helps ensure that the bees responsible for overwintering are as healthy as possible. Integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, which combine multiple control methods and rotate chemical treatments, are essential for preventing resistance and maintaining long-term mite control.
Understanding the biology of varroa mites, their impact on honey bee colonies, and the range of available control methods empowers beekeepers to make informed decisions and protect their bees. In the following sections, we’ll explore these topics in greater detail, providing practical guidance for managing varroa mite infestations and supporting the health of your honey bee colonies.
Amiflex: A New Formula for Treating Varroa Mites
Veto-Pharma announced in April 2023 a new formula of their already successful Amitraz formula, which is available from Foxhound Bee Company. The new formula uses the EPA-approved Amitraz in an innovative mode that is easy and quick to apply. Amiflex is used to treat colonies for varroa mites, providing effective mite control when applied according to label instructions.
Amiflex is for sale directly from us but requires a Pesticide Applicator License, which can be purchased from your state. More on that below. Amiflex is considered a Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP), so it can only be handled by certified applicators.
Easy to Apply
Amiflex is a gel that is applied using a device similar to a caulk gun, providing the proper dose with each application.
This dosing strategy is ideal for commercial and sideliner beekeepers as the treatment can be added quickly at an affordable price with low labor.
The 120ml cartridge applies an accurate 3 ml dose of Amiflex gel each time it is applied to the top bars on the included wooden sticks. For a single brood box, 6 ml is the dose.
For a double brood box, 12ml is the dose. When treating with a double brood box, the 12ml dose is applied with 2, 3ml lines in the bottom box and 2, 3ml lines in the top box.
Amiflex is designed to target varroa mites both on adult bees and within the brood cell, helping to disrupt mite reproduction and protect colony health.
This formula of Amitraz is not temperature sensitive and can be used any time of the year the honey bees are active.
Websites For Pesticide Applicator License Information
- Federal EPA: Pesticide Applicator Certification
Alabama: Alabama Agriculture & Industries – Pesticide Management
Arizona: University of Arizona – Agricultural Pesticide Certification Training
Arkansas: University of Arkansas – Pesticide Application Training
California: California Department of Pesticide Regulation
Colorado: Colorado Department of Agriculture
Connecticut: Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection
Delaware: Delaware Department of Agriculture
District of Columbia: DC Department of Energy & Environment
Florida: Florida Department of Agriculture
Georgia: Georgia Professional Certifications
Hawaii: Hawaii Department of Agriculture
Indiana: Office of Indiana State Chemist – Pesticide Section
Kansas: Kansas Department of Agriculture
Kentucky: University of Kentucky – Entomology
Maine: Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Maryland: Maryland OneStop
Massachusetts: Massachusetts Government
Michigan: Michigan State University Extension
Minnesota: University of Minnesota Extension
Mississippi: Mississippi State University Extension Service
Missouri: University of Missouri Extension
Montana: Montana State University – Pesticide Education Program
Nebraska: University of Nebraska – Pesticide Safety Education Program
Nevada: Nevada Department of Agriculture
New Hampshire: New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food
New Jersey: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
New Mexico: New Mexico Department of Agriculture
New York: USDA ARS
North Carolina: North Carolina Department of Agriculture
North Dakota: North Dakota Department of Agriculture
Oklahoma: Oklahoma Department of Agriculture
Oregon: Oregon Department of Agriculture
Pennsylvania: Penn State Extension
Rhode Island: Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
South Carolina: Clemson University – Pesticide Regulation
South Dakota: South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Tennessee: Tennessee Department of Agriculture
Texas: Texas A&M University – School Integrated Pest Management
Virginia: Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Washington: Washington State Department of Agriculture
West Virginia: West Virginia Department of Agriculture
Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin – Pesticide Applicator Training Program
Wyoming: Wyoming Department of Agriculture Pesticide Program
7-Day Flash Treatment
Designed to meet the needs of commercial beekeepers, Amiflex can be used before, after or in-between honey flows. This timing would work great after pollination while in transport from the next location. Treatments in December, during the broodless period, are especially effective for winter hive health.
Monitoring the mite population helps determine the best timing for applying Amiflex treatments. Treating in spring is also critical for reducing mite population before the active season.
Because the active ingredient is Amitraz, Amiflex should only be used when honey supers are not present. A second treatment can be applied with a 7-day break between treatments.
A single hive can be treated 4 times a year. It is recommended to combine a flash treatment of Amiflex with a follow up treatment of the slow-release Apivar for a long-lasting varroa treatment.
Alternative to Illegal Varroa Treatments
It has become common for commercial beekeepers to buy unregulated versions of Amitraz to create their varroa treatments. The efficacy of the treatments varies by the source of amitraz, how it is mixed, how it is stored, and how it is applied.
The inconsistencies lead to misuse of the amitraz and possible resistance to bees. Unregulated chemicals can also cause harm to bees and contaminate bee products. The EPA has enforced the laws against the misuse of amitraz, and Amiflex is a legal and alternative solution to illegal amitraz.
Other mite treatments like Apistan and Checkmite+ have lost their efficacy from misuse by beekeepers, so having a controlled, consistent treatment is important to the future of beekeeping.
Safe For Bees and Beekeepers
Historically, the only option beekeepers had for a flash treatment for varroa mite control has been oxalic acid vaporization or Formic Pro. Oxalic acid works great to kill varroa mites on adult bees but does not work on mites in the cells. Controlling varroa mites is crucial because they spread diseases within the colony. Formic Pro works quickly but is temperature sensitive and is a 14-day treatment.
Amiflex has been approved for use in a honey bee colony because it is not harmful to the beekeeper or applicator and does not leave residues in honey above the EPA thresholds.
The 6 years of research by Veto Pharma to develop Amiflex have proven it has no impact on the bee population, queen, or brood development. Using safe treatments like Amiflex helps reduce stress on the colony. Providing proper feed and nutrition during treatment periods can also support bee health and improve treatment outcomes.
Amiflex Packaging
Amiflex is due to be available in the US in the summer of 2023 and will be available in multiple sizes. The packaging is designed for commercial beekeepers.
Starter Pack – Treats 100 double deeps or 200 single deeps
Includes 1 dosing gun, 10 (120ml) cartridges, and 400 wooden sticks
Refill Pack – Treats 100 double deeps or 200 single deeps
10 (120 ml) cartridges and 400 wooden sticks
For more details on Amiflex, see the Amiflex Veto Pharma page.
Adam Hickman owns Foxhound Bee Company and is a certified EAS Master Beekeeper. Before ever selling a box through Foxhound Bee Company, Adam wrote beekeeping blogs for education. Adam regularly teaches beekeeping classes through Foxhound Bee Co and also through his local beekeeping club.