Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
when. Concerted action against these mites assists everyone and helps to guard against
a re-invasion of your colonies. Treatment also reduces an infestation to a level that can
be tolerated by your bees.
Many treatments are available, including ones suitable for organic honey production
(although, in my opinion, these are more difficult to use). When I produced organic
honey in Spain, for example, legislation restricted the chemicals and methods I could
employ in the fight against varroa but, even though this involved more work, I found it
extremely satisfying.
Treating varroa is a very complex and fast-changing area. There are several prevention
and control strategies, and you should always keep up to date with the latest innovations
and talk to your local adviser. The following are some of the treatments commonly
available.
Chemical controls (miticides)
Bayvarol, Apistan, Apivar, Check Mite and Apitol (see Figure 27) are proprietary
treatments produced and designed to kill varroa. These comprise synthetic chemicals.
They are usually reliable and effective when the mites are not chemically resistant. They
are also quick and easy to use.
Fig. 27
. A chemical treatment for varroa (Bayvarol strips) and an organic treatment
(ApilifeVar)
