Apivar® Bee Hive Strips – Amitraz 500mg Varroa Mite Treatment | APVMA Permit PER95905 | Trusted Synthetic Miticide for Australian Beekeepers

Long-Lasting Slow-Release Amitraz Strips for Reliable Varroa Control

Need a proven, professional varroa mite treatment for your apiary? Apivar® Bee Hive Strips are an APVMA-permitted synthetic miticide (Permit PER95905) containing amitraz 500mg per strip, the most widely used chemical varroa treatment in the world. Trusted by beekeepers globally for over 15 years, Apivar® delivers reliable, long-lasting varroa control in any weather, with zero honey withholding period after strip removal, a significant advantage for commercial honey producers.

What Is Apivar® and How Does It Work?

Apivar® is a slow-release contact miticide using amitraz, a synthetic amidine, embedded in a polymer plastic strip. As bees walk past the strips inside the brood chamber, they pick up tiny amounts and distribute it through the colony. Amitraz excites and paralyses varroa mites, causing them to lose grip and fall to the bottom of the hive, where they die. One application can deliver up to 99% varroa knockdown over a 6 to 10 week treatment cycle.

Key Features and Benefits

• APVMA Permit PER95905, fully permitted for use in Australia
• Up to 99% varroa knockdown with proper application
• 500mg amitraz per strip, released slowly over 6 to 10 weeks
• Single application per cycle, treat once in spring, once in autumn
• Reliable in any weather, cold, hot, humid, or windy conditions
• Zero honey withholding period, harvest immediately after strip removal
• Easy application, flexible polymer strip works even with gloves on

How to Use Apivar® Strips

Always follow the APVMA Permit PER95905 instructions in full. As a general guide: 2 strips per single brood box, 4 strips per double brood box, or 1 strip per 5-frame nuc. Hang strips between frames in the central brood area, leave in place for 6 to 10 weeks, then remove. Treat in spring before the honey flow and in autumn after harvest. Honey supers must be off during treatment, and strips must never be cut, repackaged, or reused.

Honey Withholding, a Key Advantage

Unlike some varroa treatments, Apivar® has a zero-day honey withholding period after strip removal, so supers can go back on immediately without waiting. Do not extract honey from the brood chamber after treatment, and never make treated honeycomb, propolis, or royal jelly available for human consumption.

Why Rotation Matters

Apivar® and Apitraz share the same active ingredient and should not be rotated together. Instead, rotate with a different chemical class such as Bayvarol® or Apistan® (pyrethroids), Formic Pro (formic acid), or Api-Bioxal (oxalic acid) to prevent resistance.

Mandatory Record Keeping

APVMA requires treatment records kept for a minimum of 2 years, including treatment date, hive location, quantity used, and the names of those performing treatment.

Safety and Storage

Schedule 5 CAUTION chemical. Wear gauntlet-length chemical-resistant gloves when handling, avoid skin contact, and keep away from children, pets, and food. Store in a cool, dry place in original packaging, and discard unused strips within 24 hours of opening. Very toxic to aquatic life. For poisoning, call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26.

Shipping Note

Apivar® can currently only be shipped to NSW, ACT, VIC, and QLD under the current APVMA permit. Check eligibility at checkout or contact us for guidance.

How effective is Apivar® against varroa mites?

Apivar® delivers up to 99 percent varroa knockdown per treatment cycle when applied correctly over the full 6 to 10 week window.

What is the active ingredient in Apivar®?

Amitraz, at 500mg per strip, released slowly to distribute through the colony as bees walk past the strips in the brood chamber.

Do I need to withhold honey after using Apivar®?

No, Apivar® has a zero-day honey withholding period after strip removal, so supers can go back on immediately.

How many strips do I need per hive?

Use 2 strips per single brood box, 4 strips per double brood box, or 1 strip per 5-frame nuc, following APVMA permit guidelines.

How long do the strips stay in the hive?

Strips remain in place for a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 10 weeks before removal.

When should I treat with Apivar®?

Treat in spring before the honey flow and again in autumn after harvest, before winter bees emerge.

Can I rotate Apivar® with Apitraz?

No, both contain amitraz and share the same mode of action. Rotate instead with a different chemical class like Bayvarol or Api-Bioxal.

Do I need to keep treatment records?

Yes, APVMA requires records kept for at least 2 years, including treatment dates, hive locations, and quantities used.

What safety precautions should I take when handling strips?

Wear gauntlet-length chemical-resistant gloves, avoid skin contact, and keep strips away from children, pets, and food.

Where can Apivar® be shipped in Australia?

Under the current APVMA permit, Apivar® can only be shipped to NSW, ACT, VIC, and QLD. Check eligibility at checkout.