All beekeepers will have to come to terms with managing mites at some point. Some mites are normal and harmless in a bee colony, but others, such as the varroa mite, can wreak havoc and cause extreme problems such as colony collapse. Having a mite treatment plan includes paying close attention to your hives, keeping careful records, and finding the right varroa mite treatment option.
Product FAQ
1. What Are Varroa Mites?
2. Aren't Mites a Normal Part of the Beehive Ecology?
3. What Are the Risks of Varroa Mites?
4. How Can I Know If My Hive Needs Varroa Mite Treatment?
5. How Do I Count Mites?!?
6. What Are the Risks and Benefits of Varroa Mite Treatment?
7. How Will I Know If Varroa Mite Treatments Work?
How We Reviewed
We reviewed some of the best varroa mite treatment options on the market to bring you a list of products to consider. We reviewed the following products based on their key Features, Pros & Cons, Price, Where to Buy, and Warranty. We looked at the manufacturer's claims and compared them to beekeeper reviews and our own experience to recommend the best.
Overall Price Range
Varroa mite treatments vary in price from a few dollars to several hundred. The treatment options we feature here cost between the low to average price range. The more expensive options will be tools such as vaporizers, while the less expensive are essential oil or chemical treatments.
What We Reviewed
Features
Hop guards have been used for a long time for control of mites. A hop guard like the Mann Lake DC301 Hop Guard Varroa Mite Treatment is made of cardboard strips imbued with natural, food-grade hop compounds. The hops have no adverse effects on the bees, queen or hive and are safe to use when honey supers are on the hive. Use when temperatures are above 50 degrees for best effect. Hang one strip per five frames of bees and leave in the hive for at least 14 days to cover the life cycle of the mites. This product contains 24 strips, or enough to cover almost 100 frames.
Warranty
Mann Lake accepts returns and exchanges provided you have proof of purchase and items are like new. They do encourage customers to contact them with any issues or complaints.
Pros
Cons
Features
Oxalic acid vaporizers are a common and effective way of controlling varroa mite infestations. The Oxalic Acid is placed in the spoon and heated to vaporize the chemical throughout the sealed hive. This is best used in the cold times of the winter. This vaporizer is made of stainless steel and wood for durability, has a 50 cm wand, and requires a 12V 150W external battery, which is not included.
Warranty
There is no warranty for this product.
Pros
Cons
Features
The Mite Oxalic Acid Vaporizer v.03.25 is another oxalic acid vaporizer. Oxalic acid vaporizers are a common and effective way of controlling varroa mite infestations. The Oxalic Acid is placed in the spoon and heated to vaporize the chemical throughout the sealed hive, and best used in winter. If used when temperatures are cool, but not cold, the treatment will only take about 1-2 minutes. This vaporizer has a wooden handle, CNC machined pan, and heavy wiring designed to last a lifetime. Connect it to a 12-volt battery for use.
Warranty
Scott Bee Farm, the makers of this oxalic acid vaporizer, is very responsive to customer concerns and guaruntee their products to last a lifetime if used correctly.
Pros
Cons
Features
To use this product, place the oxalic acid in the spoon and heat it to vaporize the chemical throughout the sealed hive. This is best used in the cold times of the winter. The oxalic acid vaporizer by Varomoorus heats fast in two to three minutes, is made from aircraft aluminum, and has a long 55-inch cord. You will need an external power source (12V car battery).
Warranty
Vamorous has excellent customer service. They have no specific warranty, but broken units and parts are easily replaced when needed.
Pros
Cons
Features
Apivar is one of the favored chemical varroa mite treatments. Apivar's main ingredient is the chemical amitraz, which is a miticide which paralyzes the mites, which then die of starvation. One application, which is continuously released over six weeks, is enough to kill 99% of the mites in your colony. One strip is placed per 5 frames of bees and removed once six weeks have passed. It will accumulate in wax and honey, so is best used when honey supers are not on the hive.
Warranty
Mann Lake accepts returns and exchanges provided you have proof of purchase and items are like-new. They do encourage customers to contact them with any issues or complaints.
Pros
Cons
Features
Propane vaporizers are similar to the electric vaporizers you hook up to a 12V battery, except a propane vaporizer gets its heat from a local gas source. They can treat up to 100 colonies in less than 30 minutes and are usually fast to heat and get quite hot. This one has a gravity-fed reservoir which enables the user to avoid refills that happen with the spoon style vaporizers.
Warranty
This product is made in Germany, and the company gives no info on their warranty in the US, if any; so buyer beware.
Pros
Cons
Features
The Victor is a heat method of varroa mite treatment that is very safe and effective provided you have a good battery and a way to charge it. You need a 12V 55Ah SLA battery like you would use for bass trolling. It is safe enough to use anytime because it is just heating, uses no chemicals, and costs little to run. It comes in two sizes for ten frames or eight frames; both sizes cost the same.
The Victor attaches to the battery, heats the hive and circulates the air. A thermostat monitors the temperature, ensuring the entire hive is at least 107 degrees Fahrenheit ,which kills about 80% of the mites. Repeat treatment in two weeks will eliminate more, for a total of 95%. The auto shut off feature will turn the Victor off after 3 hours of heating to protect your hive and your battery.
Warranty
The Victor comes with a two-year warranty and a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
Pros
Cons
Features
The Varamorus Propane Insect fogger is another propane-powered vaporizer for distributing substances such as oxalic acid throughout the hive. This one treats 100 colonies in 25 min and can be used with a variety of materials including oxalic acid, amitraz, fluvalinate, tau-fluvalinate, thymol, mineral oil, etc. if combined with a solvent. It can also be used with ecological preparations. Used correctly, it will kill 95-99% of mites.
This set includes the fogger, an extension nozzle, filter, gloves, mask, wrench, and manual. You will need to supply the propane gas tank.
Warranty
Vamorous has excellent customer service. They have no specific warranty, but broken units and parts are easily replaced when needed.
Pros
Cons
Features
The TOMOYOU 12V 150W Bee Vaporizer Bee Evaporator Oxalic Acid Vaporiser Varroa Treatment is another oxalic acid vaporizer. It is designed to distribute oxalic acid by is placing it in the spoon and heated to vaporize the chemical throughout the sealed hive. It is best used in the cold times of the winter or brood-less periods. The TOMOYOU model is made of stainless steel, is 50cm long, and takes about 6-8 minutes to sublimate the acid. It will require a battery for power.
Warranty
Returns are accepted only through the place of purchase and only if the unit doesn't work. There is no specific warranty.
Pros
Cons
Features
ORGATICS Anti Varroa Mite is another natural varroa mite treatment that will not harm your bees, honey, or you. Because mites do not build up a resistance to natural therapies, there is no risk in using them as preventatives. Bees stay healthy and mites are kept under control. This essential oil formula can be used any time of the year and in any stage of the hive lifecycle.
ORGATICS Anti Varroa Mite treatment is formed with ethereal and aromatic oils. It contains distillations of thyme, eucalyptus, and mint, as well as glycerin, guar gum, sodium acetate, aromatic components, and minerals. You will use one teaspoon for every two frames in the hive, applying it once every three days for 21 days. This volume will treat 70 frames one round of treatment, so you can plan on buying a new bottle twice yearly.
Warranty
ORGATICS Anti Varroa Mite is a single-use treatment with good results. There is no warranty.
Pros
Cons
The Verdict
We know that beekeepers everywhere favor using a vaporizer to distribute oxalic acid when treating for varroa mites. Therefore, we have offered several options for electric and propane vaporizers. However, we favor limiting the use of harmful chemicals whenever possible and encourage you to try one of the natural varroa mite treatment methods featured here. For single-use treatments, Mann Lake DC301 Hop Guard Varroa Mite Treatment is a keen hop guard, and ORGATICS Anti Varroa Mite offers an aromatic solution. If you want a more permanent but still natural, method, consider out personal favorite and the one we recommend: the Victor.
Featured Image from Amazon
Leave a Reply