Has anyone used Amitraz for treating varroa?

[Truble]

Please read up on the use during brooded periods of 3 treatments by sublimation 5 days apart.

I think a lot depends on the amount of time you have available do do treatments and the number of hives. Passive OA vaping is very slow at around 10 minutes per hive particularly when repeated at 3 x weekly intervals. I figure if you run more than 6 hives you need to buy/make several passive vaporizers to make it time efficient. Whereas stick some Amitraz strips in and the job is done....apart from removing them 6 weeks later.
However this little gadget from Lega might speed up the vaping, the video is very impressive at approximately 10seconds per hive. You need power though, or 2.5kw generator so perhaps not for the everyone.

 

[mazzamazda]

Please read up on the use during brooded periods of 3 treatments by sublimation 5 days apart.

Yes I know about it, still way off the best treatment during the brooded time of year, fine for non.

 

[mazzamazda]

I think a lot depends on the amount of time you have available do do treatments and the number of hives. Passive OA vaping is very slow at around 10 minutes per hive particularly when repeated at 3 x weekly intervals. I figure if you run more than 6 hives you need to buy/make several passive vaporizers to make it time efficient. Whereas stick some Amitraz strips in and the job is done....apart from removing them 6 weeks later.
However this little gadget from Lega might speed up the vaping, the video is very impressive at approximately 10seconds per hive. You need power though, or 2.5kw generator so perhaps not for the everyone.

Agreed, I would spend weeks and weeks treating my hives, i'm not convinced its safe either, last time I used a vaporizer I had pneumonia only a few days later and its almost impossible to avoid the odd whiff, each to their own though. I'm using formic acid this month, 20ml of 65% in a bag, the thing that makes me impressed with amitraz is that up to date I cant see any mites, normally the bees are loaded just before any honey comes off.

 

[Pepsis]

Why amitraz and why not

Hi all,

I was looking for proper topic to represent my work in last couple of months, but i ended up here. This is interesting, because it is now time of greatest opinion collisions in Serbia regarding, should we treat mites with insecticides or use some of the organic treatments.

Honey is of good quality in Serbia, but we come in danger of polluting it. In these days, when we are flooded with "honey" from China, and only card we could play on is quality, it is of out most importance to preserve natural cleanliness of honey.

Personally, after all the things I've read about amitraz, i wouldn't use it on bees. Probably i will go with Apiguard, even though it is a bit expensive here. But, for two hives and safe start with out poison, i look at it as an investment.

Beekeepers, in Serbia swear on Amitraz. It has been used since Varroa appeared, and it is used today. Even guys that are willing to pay more and use apiguard in summer months, treat with amitraz as control. After all that comes treatment with acids in November when queen stops laying.

Now this is procedure described to me by a lot of beekeepers and on national beekeepers association forum. And i don't like it.

Mostly because some say (and these are all people with diplomas on matter, chemists, biologists, ETC.) that amitraz leaves traces in wax and honey, and some say it doesn't. Personally, i am against it, because i read it was developed for us against mites on cats and dogs ('nuf said right there).

After some reading, i have come to discover sort of "middle ground". Amitraz alone, as it appears, does not leave traces in it its original form. That is, after some time, it degrades to chemicals which it is comprised of. These are called metabolites as i understand. Now, amitraz as complex chemical, is not that dangerous for humans, but these metabolites are. They influence human body in all kinds of ways, from altering genetic code to making direct damage to cells. And this is what scares me.

So based only on that, i say no to Amitraz.

But, (there is always one if not many "buts") if infestation, becomes so strong it threats to destroy, say 100-150 colonies, then, i would approve it as final solution.

Main reasons why it is widely used are:
- no one has ever reported any side effects directly connected to use of amitraz yet!

- no one has ever been so honest to say that amtiraz showed up in and analyses they have ever done on their honey, which is mandatory if you want to sell it at fairs and shows.

- many report that after using any other form, or compound in fighting mites, found out that control with amitraz has shown poor, or unsatisfying results of previous treatments, whereas after using amitraz treatment with acids in November has rarely shown poor results of amitraz treatment in late summer.

- and last, but not least important reason; very, very, very low price per colony in comparison to other kinds of treatment.

Only, if one has strong opinion against such chemicals as Amitraz can, in reality, approve any other much more expensive treatment when you look at economy in Serbia, and this is why i can, even thouh i don't approve it's use, understand people who use it. Also beginners, and hobysts with only couple of colonies.

 

[Stiffy]

I am looking at different varroa treatments once I have removed my honey (I will hopefully get some this year). I read somewhere that Amitraz is now licensed for use in the UK and that previously it was available for use under the cascade system.

I have no experience of using Amitraz, nor do I know anyone else who has used it. Has anyone here used it, was it effective and more importantly how did it affect the bees ? Also where was it bought and how much would it cost to treat each colony? Thanks.

Used it a couple of years ago when I was too late treating with Thymol and couple of hives had a heavy varroa load going into winter.
It works very well, not as harsh as MAQS but is comparatively expensive and needs to be prescribed by a vet.
Whilst 'other' treatment work, I will continue to use them in the knowledge that Amitraz is available if required.
S

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Whilst 'other' treatment work, I will continue to use them in the knowledge that Amitraz is available if required.

Bit like my father who always carried a lump hammer in his carpentry toolbox, never used it but it was there in case the usual methods didn't work

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Bit like my father who always carried a lump hammer in his carpentry toolbox, never used it but it was there in case the usual methods didn't work

Sometimes a lump hammer or even a sledgehammer is the only answer

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Sometimes a lump hammer or even a sledgehammer is the only answer

exactly - but not to be used on a day to day basis