Apitraz/Amitraz

[Millet]

I got some last year but did not need to use it and i still have it stuck in the fridge now..
It is unopened with a expirey date 20/06/2019..
My memory is shot with some information so i will ask again..

A... is it 100% safe with Queens..

B... What do i do with it..

My preferred method is OA that works a treat.. the only reason i ask is i don't want to kill these 2019 Queens.. and i also have two newly hived Nucs that need moving forward for OA treatment ..the Apitraz would be ideal for those two..but if the Queen is at risk i will bin it or give it to some one..

 

[Swarm]

No reason it should harm the queen. Shelf life of apitraz is 12 months, with apivar it is 24.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Use it
No problems

 

[Millet]

Thank You Both..
Cheers
Steve.

 

[linoleum bonypart]

Cwjones are still selling it with a June date and haven't reduced it much this year.. Darn it

 

[mike99]

I have seen Apitraz on Ebay but not sure if that is a good route to get it? Anyone got any experience of purchasing it this way?

 

[Millet]

I have seen Apitraz on Ebay but not sure if that is a good route to get it? Anyone got any experience of purchasing it this way?

How many strips do you need Mike..I will not use a full packet and it is a shame to bin it so if you don't need loads you can have some of what I have here.

 

[mike99]

Thanks Steve. As usual your generosity shines through. I now have 2 colonies so I would need 4 strips. However I noticed on Thornes that they have Apivar with a shelf life till January 2021. that would mean I have enough for this year and next. As I need some other stuff, I will probably get it from them but if there is an issue can I come back to you?

 

[Swarm]

Read the instructions for both products, Apitraz and Apivar. Apivar sounds much simpler to use IMO.

 

[linoleum bonypart]

Apivar is certainly easy to use no burnt fingers as with gas vap... Tho some doubts about resistance if used alot

 

[XYZ]

I have seen Apitraz on Ebay but not sure if that is a good route to get it? Anyone got any experience of purchasing it this way?

Yeah I bought my Apitraz from eBay - it was out of date (June 2019). Only £25 for the pack though so I'm not too fussed.

 

[Millet]

Read the instructions for both products, Apitraz and Apivar. Apivar sounds much simpler to use IMO.

I have Apitraz so i will not be buying Apivar to find out if it is easier..i only bought for it one colony but did not need it..i prefare OA and i have two ways of administering it so i will stick with that for now..

 

[Millet]

Regarding the use of Apitraz..in the instructions it says place between frame of stores where bees are most active..for instance between three and four and seven and eight..in my hived Nucs they have brood in three and four..
Can i just lay the strips across the top bars as the bees are fairly active over them all the time..? ..

 

[Swarm]

That's why I mentioned the instructions, apivar's two strips one each side of brood nest is much easier.
I have a nuc to treat and plan to hang one strip on the outside of the brood. I think I'd do the same in your situation.

 

[Millet]

That's why I mentioned the instructions, apivar's two strips one each side of brood nest is much easier.
I have a nuc to treat and plan to hang one strip on the outside of the brood. I think I'd do the same in your situation.

I am now 50/50 whether to bin it and stick with the OA..i have had a bad experience in my first year with Apilife var which killed loads of brood..i certaily do not want to see that ever again..

 

[XYZ]

Bend the lugs out and slide the strips down, easy peasy

 

[madasafish]

I use synthetic vattoa treatments ONLY for the odd colony with big mite loads after treating with Apiguard. Too much risk of wax contamination and resistance for me.

It has proved to be very effective on the two hives I have treated..But it's a weapon of last resort. Having tried MAQs this year, that's my weapon of choice with OA vaping at Christmas..

 

[Millet]

Bend the lugs out and slide the strips down, easy peasy

Keep a eye on them J ..there is not a lot of bees in that colony..they may benefit if you knock them down to eight or nine frames and put a celotex dummy in to fill the space...
Or Edit to add from a closer look into a six frame poly nuc..

 

[XYZ]

Fair shout Steve - will try and source me some Celotex! Or Kingspan I'm not fussy

 

[linoleum bonypart]

Apilife var is not amitraz... Totally different product millie
BTW I don't trust those tabs and put a nail through the strip