Product Application

Hivastan^® Application

To control Varroa mites, place one scoop or 225 grams (8 oz) per hive onto a substrate suitable for holding the formulation (paper, wax paper, or cardboard). Spread the formulation to create a patty that can be easily placed on the top of the brood frames, make the patty thin enough to allow easy access by the bees. Use the same amount of product regardless of whether the colony is either a one or two brood box colony. For two brood box colonies, place the patty on top of the frames of the bottom box so that the patty is between the two boxes. It is important that the patty be placed in closest proximity to the brood cluster.

The initial application (225 grams), in typical circumstances, will last six weeks. It will be necessary to remove product that has not been removed by the bees in six weeks. It has been noted that during the initial 48-72 hour treatment period there is a higher incidence in average bee mortality than in untreated colonies. This higher mortality incidence will decline to normal averages after this initial period.

Application Timing

For maximum efficacy, apply during morning or late afternoon hours. Applications are not recommended during extreme temperatures > 100°F. Apply twice a year to keep mite populations suppressed.

For more detail information on application, please see the Section 18 Corner.

Apistan^® Application

Apistan^® Anti-Varroa Mite Strips control Varroa, without harming the honeybee. Follow these simple steps to properly apply Apistan^® strips to hives.

1. Preparation: Remove honey supers before application of Apistan^® strips and do not replace until the end of the control period (six to eight weeks). Always wear gloves when handling the strips. Just before application, remove the required number of Apistan^® strips from the pouch. To separate strips, hold firmly at corner near tab and pull along scored line, from top to bottom. Unused strips should remain in the original package.

2. Placement: Place Apistan^® strips within the hive, one per every five frames of bees, before the first honey flow and after the last honey flow during the year. Strips must be in contact with bees at all times. Hang the strips within two combs of the edge of the bee cluster. If two deep supers are used for the brood nest, hang Apistan^® strips in alternate corners of the cluster, in the top and bottom super. Make certain each strip is placed between the frames, not on top of them. For best chemical distribution, use Apistan^® when daytime high temperatures are at least 50°F.

3. Duration: For effective Varroa control, keep strips in the hive for six to eight weeks. Do not remove strips from the hive for at least 42 days (six weeks). Do not leave strips in the hive for more than 56 days (eight weeks). Honey supers may be replaced after strips are removed.

4. Removal: Remove strips after six to eight weeks. Do not reuse strips.

For best control within a bee yard, treat all infested colonies within that yard. Effective control may be achieved by treating hives and colonies in the spring before the first honey flow and in the fall after the last honey flow.

Keep strips in original, unopened package until ready to use. Do not store in direct sunlight. Do not store unused strips near pesticides or other chemical substances that could contaminate water, food or feed by storage or disposal. Wastes resulting from use of this product may be disposed of on-site or at an approved waste disposal facility.

For more detailed information on applications, please see the Apistan^® Specimen Label.