Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for varroa mites – the quiz – We gathered 15 questions to test your knowledge on Integrated Pest Management strategies for varroa mites. But wait… how can IPM apply in beekeeping ? Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in beekeeping   This strategy describes an integrative and ecological approach to pest management. IPM strategies include various preventive and treatment options, considering seasonal changes and ecological and environmental factors. Suppose we apply the definition of Integrated Pest Management to varroa. In that case, we aim to combin ..read more

By Dr. Ulrike Marsky, Technical Manager at Véto-pharma Sustainable varroa control has been an ongoing challenge for beekeepers around the globe for decades.1 Although several substances are available to reduce varroa mite infestation (Varroa destructor) in honey bee colonies (Apis mellifera), all of them come along with specific requirements for use concerning factors such as ambient temperature, brood status of the honey bee colony, treatment duration, or the number of required treatment applications. With significant variability between years in local weather, onset of flowerings, bee brood ..read more

Honey bees (Apis mellifera) play a vital role in pollination and are crucial for maintaining ecosystem biodiversity and agricultural productivity. However, honey bee populations worldwide have been facing numerous challenges, including the impact of bacterial pathogens. In a recent study, published in an esteemed scientific journal, researchers investigated the influence of caffeine consumption on honey bees’ defense mechanisms against a common bacterial pathogen, Serratia marcescens. Here, we summarize the main findings of the authors, Caffeine and its effects on honey bee immunity In the pre ..read more

Véto-pharma just obtained the EPA federal registration for Amiflex®, a 7-day-flash treatment for varroa mites that has been specially designed for commercial operations. After years of rigorous R&D, Véto-pharma has obtained  federal registration for a unique and innovative amitraz gel formulation that’s specially designed to address the needs of commercial beekeepers. This 7-day-flash treatment is temperature independent and comes in a tailor-made package to reduce labor costs. Its distinctive versatility allows for use in between honey flows and eliminates the need for a withdra ..read more

The Asian Hornet (Vespa velutina), often mistaken for its larger European cousin, has been making a global buzz. Originally from China, it began its Western march by invading France in 2004 and has since spread throughout Europe. Now, it’s taking flight in the US, posing new challenges. However, it’s not an unbeaten path. French beekeepers have faced this threat for many years, gaining invaluable insights into the Asian Hornet’s behavior and ecology. With the support of Véto-pharma, they’ve gathered the knowledge and tools to tackle this intruder. Together, we’ve accumulated a broad understand ..read more

By Dr. Ulrike Marsky, Technical Manager, Véto-pharma Field Bioassay or “Pettis test“ to detect varroa mite resistance in the apiary: What to look out for Introduction ____ Not very long after the first miticides were authorized as a response to the spread of Varroa destructor, beekeepers worldwide experienced the phenomenon of miticide resistance in their apiaries1-2-3. In other words, the treatments they had been using successfully for several years were not efficient anymore. Resistance develops after repeated contact of varroa mites with a specific active ingredient (chemical substance) ove ..read more

Latest update (as of July 28): We are delighted to announce that Amiflex has successfully made its way to the USA. We are keeping track of the state registrations for Amiflex and sharing these updates in real-time on our dedicated Amiflex webpage. Just one click away, you can stay up-to-date with all the latest developments. Moreover, we are on the brink of releasing the list of selected distributors that will carry our product. This information will also be available on the same link. Please note, purchasing and using Amiflex requires an RUP license. For further information about the Pes ..read more

Summary of the scientific publication “Sublethal fluvalinate negatively affects the development and flight capacity of honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) workers” by Wu, Xiaobo, et al., 2022. Introduction As one of the most-used molecules to combat varroa (Varroa destructor) infestation since the 1980s, (tau-)fluvalinate has been researched intensively with regards to its efficacy, toxicity, and its overall effects on varroa mites as well as honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies. While fluvalinate has demonstrated high efficacy against the mite initially, extensive use quickly led to problems, with re ..read more

Spring begins in each area when the days become longer, initiating the blooming of melliferous plants and increasing activity in honey bee colonies. At this time of the year, bees which emerged in the previous autumn and survived the winter predominate in the hives. They will fly out to collect pollen and nectar in order to, step by step, increase the population of the colony. The strategy of the beekeeping operation must be adapted to the pace and development of the bees.  The progress of the colony build-up, the available flowering in the environment of the hives, and the weather in spr ..read more

Impact of varroa mite infestation on bee colonies’ thermoregulation: New findings indicate varroa mites reduce bees’ ability to efficiently thermo-regulate their body temperature, making them more vulnerable to cold temperatures. Honey bee colonies must find strategies to survive various stressors that can affect their health status and stability. Although several factors that have the potential to threaten colony well-being have been investigated in the past, possible interactions or synergies between different factors have rarely been taken into account, as such studies are highly complex. R ..read more