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Pythrethroid Resistant Mites

Submitted by wbkamaster on Wed, 20/09/2006 - 9:44pm.

Mite resistance to Apistan is steadily spreading across the country and it's fairly clear, unless Beekeepers use alternative management techniques to control Varroa, the survival of the Honey Bee in the UK is seriously threatened.

First discovered in Cornwall in 2001, Pyrethroid resistance had spread considerably by 2003. By the end of 2005, resistent mites had been found in Warwickshire. Everyone who keeps bees should work to protect our bee population. Here's what you should to do:

  • Test for Pyrethroid Resistance regularly.
  • Don't keep your results to yourself!
  • Share information with other beekeepers and with the National Bee Unit.
  • If you continue to use Apistan, read the instructions and use them correctly. That means ... don't leave them in the hive. Leaving the strips in the hive leads to resistance!
  • Treat as little as possible.
  • Rotate with other kinds of treatment.
  • Avoid moving bees with resistance.

IF YOU HAVE RESISTANCE...

Stop using Pyrethroids!

There are other ways of controlling Varroa. None of them give 100% efficacy so it is essential to use a combination of methods.

Biotechnical Methods include Drone Brood removal and the use of mesh floors. In addition, there are authorised varroacides which can be used as curative substances. 'Apiguard™' is a product recommended by the National Bee Unit. The active ingredient is Thymol.

Although Thymol has always been available and used by Beekeepers, there have been restrictions on its use as a varroacide. Apiguard™ is based on Thymol in gel. It comes in a tray which is placed on the top bars of the brood frames once all the honey crop has been removed. Put one tray in the hive for ten days, by which time, the bees should have cleaned it out. Then give a second tray. Apiguard™ is only effective at a minimum temperature of 15°C and above. Efficacy is about 90%.

Other solutions may be available in the future. Vita are apparently developing a natural hive pheromones which affects the mite and DEFRA are working on predators and pathogens of Varroa. Another solution might be in selective queen rearing for resistance to Varroa.

Need to find our how to test for resistance. Go to the web site of the National Bee Unit.