Varroa Treatments

Resources

The following videos are highly recommended. Randy Oliver maintains a large apiary in Grass Valley, CA. His climate and conditions are similar to ours, unlike many other videos and resources on the web from beekeepers back east or in Canada. He does good science – he uses controls, data analysis, etc.

• Randy Oliver Update – Nov 2021 – he reports on studies of the efficacy of various Varroa treatments.
• Randy Oliver: 2021 Varroa Management – presented for the SCVBA March 2021 Beekeeper’s Meeting. Randy talks in-depth about various Varroa management techniques, emphasizing the need for a year-round treatment protocol.

Methods

The current EPA approved treatments are listed here.

• Apivar
• Apiguard
• Hopguard
• Formic Pro
• Oxalic Acid Dribble
• Oxalic Acid – Extended Release Pads
• Oxalic Acid Vaporization

Calendar of treatment options for typical temperature range

Treatments that are OK to apply with honey supers are highlighted green.

Spring	March  46 – 66 Apivar, Formic Pro, Hopguard, OA Dribble, OA Pads April  49 – 71 Apivar, Apiguard, Formic Pro, Hopguard, OA Pads May 52 – 77 Apivar, Apiguard, Hopguard, OA Pads
Summer	June 56 – 83  Apivar, Apiguard, Hopguard, OA Pads July 58 – 88 Apivar, Apiguard, Hopguard, OA Pads August 58 – 87 Apivar, Apiguard, Hopguard, OA Pads
Fall	September 56 – 84 Apivar, Apiguard, Hopguard, OA Pads October 53 – 76 Apivar, Apiguard, Formic Pro, Hopguard, OA Dribble, OA Pads November 46 – 65 Apivar, Apiguard, Formic Pro, Hopguard, OA Dribble, OA Pads
Winter	December 42 – 58 Apivar, Formic Pro, Hopguard, OA Dribble, OA Pads January 42 – 59 Apivar, Formic Pro, Hopguard, OA Dribble, OA Pads February 44 – 62 Apivar, Formic Pro, Hopguard, OA Dribble, OA Pads

Notes

• Average temperatures are from here.
• The above table is approximate, based on typical monthly temperatures and conditions. Please check the weather report, especially before using Formic Pro.
• The Oxalic Acid “OA” Dribble can be used when honey supers are present, but should NOT be used in the supers – it should be applied to the brood boxes only.