Can I use Apiguard in the spring?

A: Apiguard can be used in springtime, if necessary, provided the daily temperature is high enough. If the mite infestation is high in spring then it is safer to use Apiguard rather than let the mites reproduce further but treatment is otherwise best left until the summer.

Does Apiguard affect honey?

A: It is preferable to remove supers before treating with Apiguard. Apiguard may taint honey in supers, but it is unlikely, especially if the honey stores are sealed. Apiguard may taint the brood wax, and low traces may reach the wax of the supers. Honey collected during Apiguard treatment can be fed back to the bees.

When should you treat bees in the spring?

In the late Summer treat before mites cause damage to brood that will become Winter bee stock.
In the Spring treat before extensive brood build up, when you are reversing hives or preparing for pollination.

Should I treat my bees in the spring?

Without a doubt your bees need a good dose of Varroa Mite treatment in mid winter as well as in early to mid spring. Although in mid winter you’re limited to doing a ‘blind’ treatment (no count) because it’d be a bad idea to open up the hive, the early to mid spring time period is a little different.

How do you use Apivar strips?

Hang each strip between 2 comb frames in the brood area or the bee cluster, with a minimum distance of 2 frames between strips. Suspend Apivar strips in the brood chamber so bees can walk on both sides of the strips. Leave strips in the hive for a minimum of 42 days, and then remove. DO NOT re-use the strips.

How do you apply Apiguard?

Apiguard is extremely easy to use: Place the opened tray face upwards in the top of brood frames, preferably centred over the colony. After 10 days examine the tray and if it is almost empty, replace with a second tray. If there is product left in the tray after 10 days leave until day 14 and then replace.

Which varroa treatment is best?

Top 10 Best Treatment for Varroa Mites in Beehives (2021)

Mite Away Quick Strips.
Mann Lake DC301 Hop Guard Varroa Mite Treatment.
Mann Lake DC-799 Apivar.
Blythewood Bee Company Apiguard Pack for Varroa Mite Treatment.
Oxalic Acid Vaporizer DIY Kit.
Blythewood Bee Company NoVarroa Oxalic Acid Vaporizer.

Does Apiguard expire?

We know that, as long as the product has not been stored in hot conditions (in direct sun or above 30°C), Apiguard is stable for at least four years and probably up to six years in the sealed aluminium tray pack.

Is Apivar a thymol?

Apivar contains Amitraz as its active ingredient. In Apiguard, the active ingredient is Thymol essential oil. This difference in the active ingredient in each of these mite control products gives them different modes of action as well.

Can you treat for varroa in spring?

Normally a treatment in spring wouldn’t be necessary, but we had no option but to treat now – since varroa, like the bees will grow exponentially if left unchecked at this time of year, which could severely hinder colonies later in the year.

Where do you place Apivar?

Since Apivar works by contact, strips should be placed in an area where there is peak bee activity and where the Varroa are breeding. The autumn treatment and spring treatment are used for different reasons. The intention of the spring treatment is to eradicate any mite population before the honey season.

How long do you leave Apivar in?

Suspend Apivar strips in the brood chamber so bees can walk on both sides of the strips. Leave strips in the hive for a minimum of 42 days, and then remove.

When is the best time of year to apply apiguard?

A: Apiguard is best applied in summer or autumn, outside the period of honeyﬂow. The external temperature should be above 59°F, which means that the colony is active.

What is the best way to store apiguard?

A: Apiguard should be kept out of direct sun and heat and ideally stored at temperatures lower than 30ºC (86ºF). The gel will start to separate into solid and liquid phases at around 38ºC (100.4 ºF) and even with stirring, the gel may not regain its original quality once this has happened.

How effective is apiguard for Varroa control?

A: Apiguard often gives results as good as those obtained previously with Apistan or Bayvarol, but a lower eﬃcacy should be generally expected, somewhere between 85 – 95% varroa control. The average we have recorded through thousands of hive treatments is 93%. Apiguard works better the warmer it is, up to 100°F.

Should I treat my bees with apiguard?

A: If you expect a honeyﬂow, do not treat. If it is essential to treat before moving bees to a honey ﬂow, apply one dose of Apiguard and remove any residual material before the moving the bees. The second dose should be applied immediately after the honeyﬂow.