Amiflex – A Varroa Treatment For Commercial Beekeepers

Amiflex – A Varroa Treatment For Commercial Beekeepers

Amiflex – A Varroa Treatment For Commercial Beekeepers

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 have better options than beekeepers in the 80s or 90s do.

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 have better options than beekeepers in the 80s or 90s do.

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 HopguardFormic Pro and Apiguard. They all work differently, and it’s wise to use these chemicals on rotation.

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 HopguardFormic Pro and Apiguard. They all work differently, and it’s wise to use these chemicals on rotation.

Amiflex: A New Formula For Treating Varroa Mites

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 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.

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 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 does 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.

This formula of Amitraz is not temperature sensitive and can be used any time of the year the honey bees are active.

Easy To Apply

Amiflex is a gel that is applied using a device similar to a caulk gun, providing the proper does 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.

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

Websites For Pesticide Applicator License Information

  1. Federal EPA: Pesticide Applicator Certification
  2. Alabama: Alabama Agriculture & Industries – Pesticide Management
  3. Alaska: Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
  4. Arizona: University of Arizona – Agricultural Pesticide Certification Training
  5. Arkansas: University of Arkansas – Pesticide Application Training
  6. California: California Department of Pesticide Regulation
  7. Colorado: Colorado Department of Agriculture
  8. Connecticut: Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection
  9. Delaware: Delaware Department of Agriculture
  10. District of Columbia: DC Department of Energy & Environment
  11. Florida: Florida Department of Agriculture
  12. Georgia: Georgia Professional Certifications
  13. Hawaii: Hawaii Department of Agriculture
  14. Idaho: Idaho Division of Agricultural Resources
  15. Illinois: Illinois Pesticide Certification and Licensing
  16. Indiana: Office of Indiana State Chemist – Pesticide Section
  17. Iowa: Iowa State University Extension
  18. Kansas: Kansas Department of Agriculture
  19. Kentucky: University of Kentucky – Entomology
  20. Louisiana: Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry
  21. Maine: Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
  22. Maryland: Maryland OneStop
  23. Massachusetts: Massachusetts Government
  24. Michigan: Michigan State University Extension
  25. Minnesota: University of Minnesota Extension
  26. Mississippi: Mississippi State University Extension Service
  27. Missouri: University of Missouri Extension
  28. Montana: Montana State University – Pesticide Education Program
  29. Nebraska: University of Nebraska – Pesticide Safety Education Program
  30. Nevada: Nevada Department of Agriculture
  31. New Hampshire: New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food
  32. New Jersey: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
  33. New Mexico: New Mexico Department of Agriculture
  34. New York: USDA ARS
  35. North Carolina: North Carolina Department of Agriculture
  36. North Dakota: North Dakota Department of Agriculture
  37. Ohio: Ohio Department of Agriculture
  38. Oklahoma: Oklahoma Department of Agriculture
  39. Oregon: Oregon Department of Agriculture
  40. Pennsylvania: Penn State Extension
  41. Rhode Island: Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
  42. South Carolina: Clemson University – Pesticide Regulation
  43. South Dakota: South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources
  44. Tennessee: Tennessee Department of Agriculture
  45. Texas: Texas A&M University – School Integrated Pest Management
  46. Utah: Utah Department of Agriculture and Food
  47. Vermont: Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
  48. Virginia: Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
  49. Washington: Washington State Department of Agriculture
  50. West Virginia: West Virginia Department of Agriculture
  51. Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin – Pesticide Applicator Training Program
  52. Wyoming: Wyoming Department of Agriculture Pesticide Program
  1. Federal EPA: Pesticide Applicator Certification
  2. Alabama: Alabama Agriculture & Industries – Pesticide Management
  3. Alaska: Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
  4. Arizona: University of Arizona – Agricultural Pesticide Certification Training
  5. Arkansas: University of Arkansas – Pesticide Application Training
  6. California: California Department of Pesticide Regulation
  7. Colorado: Colorado Department of Agriculture
  8. Connecticut: Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection
  9. Delaware: Delaware Department of Agriculture
  10. District of Columbia: DC Department of Energy & Environment
  11. Florida: Florida Department of Agriculture
  12. Georgia: Georgia Professional Certifications
  13. Hawaii: Hawaii Department of Agriculture
  14. Idaho: Idaho Division of Agricultural Resources
  15. Illinois: Illinois Pesticide Certification and Licensing
  16. Indiana: Office of Indiana State Chemist – Pesticide Section
  17. Iowa: Iowa State University Extension
  18. Kansas: Kansas Department of Agriculture
  19. Kentucky: University of Kentucky – Entomology
  20. Louisiana: Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry
  21. Maine: Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
  22. Maryland: Maryland OneStop
  23. Massachusetts: Massachusetts Government
  24. Michigan: Michigan State University Extension
  25. Minnesota: University of Minnesota Extension
  26. Mississippi: Mississippi State University Extension Service
  27. Missouri: University of Missouri Extension
  28. Montana: Montana State University – Pesticide Education Program
  29. Nebraska: University of Nebraska – Pesticide Safety Education Program
  30. Nevada: Nevada Department of Agriculture
  31. New Hampshire: New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food
  32. New Jersey: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
  33. New Mexico: New Mexico Department of Agriculture
  34. New York: USDA ARS
  35. North Carolina: North Carolina Department of Agriculture
  36. North Dakota: North Dakota Department of Agriculture
  37. Ohio: Ohio Department of Agriculture
  38. Oklahoma: Oklahoma Department of Agriculture
  39. Oregon: Oregon Department of Agriculture
  40. Pennsylvania: Penn State Extension
  41. Rhode Island: Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
  42. South Carolina: Clemson University – Pesticide Regulation
  43. South Dakota: South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources
  44. Tennessee: Tennessee Department of Agriculture
  45. Texas: Texas A&M University – School Integrated Pest Management
  46. Utah: Utah Department of Agriculture and Food
  47. Vermont: Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
  48. Virginia: Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
  49. Washington: Washington State Department of Agriculture
  50. West Virginia: West Virginia Department of Agriculture
  51. Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin – Pesticide Applicator Training Program
  52. Wyoming: Wyoming Department of Agriculture Pesticide Program

7-Day Flash Treatment

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.

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.

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.

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.

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Alternative To Illegal Varroa Treatments

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. 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.

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. 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 ProOxalic acid works great to kill varroa mites on adult bees but does not work on mites in the cells. 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.

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 ProOxalic acid works great to kill varroa mites on adult bees but does not work on mites in the cells. 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.

Amiflex Packaging

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.

Check out our Vlog: Comparing The Best Oxalic Acid Vaporizer: Corded vs Battery For Varroa Mite Vaporization.

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.

Check out our Vlog: Comparing The Best Oxalic Acid Vaporizer: Corded vs Battery For Varroa Mite Vaporization.

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