Central Beekeepers Alliance

As announced in “PMRA Approves Emergency Use of Apivar in Canada,” the Pest Management Regulatory Agency has granted the emergency registration of Apivar® for the control of the parasitic mite, Varroa destructor, in honey bee hives in Canada.

Apivar® (active ingredient: 3.33% amitraz) is a sustained-release plastic strip designed for use in honey bee hives.

This emergency registration applies in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island for the period beginning July 1, 2009, and ending June 30, 2010 — subject to the following Conditions:

• Honey supers must be removed from hives before undergoing treatment wtih amitraz, and cannot be replaced until 14 days after the strips are removed.

• Residues of amitraz equivalents in/on honey and honey-derived products must not exceed 0.1 parts per million (ppm) (as per subsection B.15.002(1) of the Food and Drug Regulations.

• End-users must be informed that various countries, including the United States, do not have a maximum residue limit (MRL) for amitraz in honey, honeycomb, and beeswax, and that they assume the risk that use of Apivar® may affect export of their product.

Instructions for Apivar Use in Bee Hives

• Correctly identify the pest and ensure economic and agronomic thresholds are being met before treatment.

• Remove honey supers before application of Apivar®.

• Use 2 Apivar® strips per colony.

• Separate the double strip and hang each strip between two comb frames inside the brood area or bee cluster, with a minimum distance of 2 frames between strips.

• Suspend Apivar® strips in the brood chamber in such a way that the bees can walk on both sides of the strips.

• Leave the strips inside the hive for 42 days and then remove.

• In case of movement inside the bee hive far from the strips, a repositioning of the strips should be done into the bee cluster, and the strips left in place for 14 more days before removal.

• Strips must be removed after a maximum of 56 days.

• Do not re-use the strips.

• Timing: Hang Apivar® strips in the hives in spring before the first honey flow if varroa mite infestations have reached treatment threshold. Remove honey supers before use of Apivar strips.

• DO NOT USE APIVAR STRIPS WHEN HONEY SUPERS ARE PRESENT.

• If the varroa mite infestation is severe, treat colonies in the autumn after all surplus honey has been removed from the hive.

• Wait 14 days after removing strips before placing honey supers on hive.

• Monitor treated pest populations for resistance development.

Follow all instructions on the product label.
New Brunswick beekeepers, please contact the NB Department of Agriculture and Aquaculture (Fredericton — (506) 453-2108) if you require more information.