How do you apply the Thymovar varroa mite treatment strips to your beehive?

Thymovar varroa mite treatment strips are an effective Thymol treatment that help with varroa mite control. Following the honey harvest, simply cut or tear the varroa mite treatment strips to the advised size for your colony and place onto the brood combs. Remove used strips after 3-4 weeks and repeat treatment. This time saving application is perfectly suitable for organic beekeeping.

I have heard that some bee mite treatments impact the honeybees as well as the varroa mite, even effect the queen. Is Thymovar going to badly affect my bees?

Thymovar is well tolerated in the hive by the colony. Because the varroa mite treatment strips are a long-term treatment, Thymovar works in the hive with a delayed reaction. The 15g of Thymol in the strips sublimate in the hive at a level that is toxic to the varroa mites but not to the bees. Thymovar will work most effectively at temperatures between 20-25 degrees Celsius.

Will the bees try to remove Thymovar from the hive?

Thymovar is not toxic to the honeybee, however the bees are not fond of Thymol in the hive and will try to remove it.

Thymovar also has a unique design that distinguishes it from any other varroa treatment. The Thymovar varroa mite treatment strips are a solid cellulose sponge with an integrated matrix that binds the strip together. This makes it extremely difficult for the bees to remove the treatment and means the Thymol vapours circulate at the correct level for the correct period and have a high efficacy on the varroa mite population.

Can I feed my bees when I am treating with Thymovar?

If your colony needs feeding it is advisable to feed your colony before you apply Thymovar. Feeding at this time in the season can induce robbing behaviour and subsequently a re-infestation of varroa. The varroa mite passes from colony to colony by using the bees as a vehicle so discouraging robbing behaviour during treatment is important.

Ensure that they have enough food to last them for 4 weeks, the duration of the first phase of the Thymovar treatment. If they need more food, feed them again once the first lot of varroa mite treatment strips have been taken off.

Once the food has been stored by the bees, apply the second phase of varroa mite treatment strips. Feeding sugar fondant instead of liquid syrup may reduce the risk of robbing behaviour, however Thymovar active in the hive may also affect the acceptance of food anyway.

Can I apply other treatments to my hive if I use Thymovar?

Absolutely, we always advise to use any varroa treatments including Thymovar as part of an ongoing integrated pest management strategy or IPM.

Varroa is the biggest pest that the Western honeybee faces and to act as responsible beekeepers we must ensure to manage the honeybees with other treatments throughout the year.

Using Oxuvar, an oxalic acid solution as a winter treatment and as a spring/summer treatment, will ensure effective management of the varroa population in your hive all year round.

Thymovar can be purchased here.