Use Apivar strips for combined varroa and tracheal treatment

Hang 2 Apivar strips (amitraz) per brood box between frames in the brood nest area. Leave in place for 6-8 weeks. While Apivar is specifically designed and labeled for Varroa destructor, beekeepers using it for varroa may see modest secondary reduction in tracheal mite loads.

Why It Works

Amitraz is a contact acaricide — it kills varroa mites on bee bodies effectively. Its action against tracheal mites is indirect and limited, since Acarapis woodi lives inside the tracheae where contact exposure is minimal. Some reduction occurs as amitraz metabolites circulate in bee hemolymph, but this is not a primary tracheal mite treatment.

Tips

• Only consider if you are already treating for varroa and tracheal mites are a secondary concern
• For dedicated tracheal mite control, use menthol crystals or essential oil fumigation instead
• Rotate with other varroa treatments to prevent amitraz resistance
• Do not use during honey supers — amitraz is not approved for use during honey production