Will amitraz be the next beekeeping miticide that becomes completely ineffective? Not quite. Although scientists have discovered amitraz-resistant mites in some US apiaries, amitraz's intrinsic properties (rapid degradation within the hive) make it less likely to become a candidate for rapid resistance development in varroa mite populations. Similarly, the reversal period (the time needed for a resistant population to lose its amitraz-resistance) seems to be much faster compared to pyrethroid-resistant mites.
However, the responsibility falls on the entire beekeeping community to help preserve this active ingredient in our arsenal against varroa mites. This means avoiding the temptation of overly frequent, illegal applications of amitraz throughout the year, and refraining from leaving Apivar strips in the hives all winter long. With a proper Integrated Pest Management system, amitraz can continue to aid in the fight against varroa mites for many years to come.
For additional information, visit the Véto-pharma website at www.veto-pharma.com and explore the Véto-pharma blog at www.blog-veto-p....
This is in collaboration with Betterbee: www.betterbee.com
This animation was developed as a public service for beekeepers and beekeeping educators, and it can be freely used for educational purposes without seeking permission from Véto-pharma or Betterbee.