Important Dates For Treatments
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IMPORTANT: It's best to do mite counts by alcohol or sugar shaker before making the decision to treat for mites. Read more on testing protocols here: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/food/inspection/bees/varroa-sampling.htm It's also just as important to do another mite count right after the treatment period has ended to see what the success of the treatment has been. Keep a log of the dates, mite count before treatment, treatment used, and mite count after treatment. This information might be helpful later on if you are finding the treatment didn't do a very good job and you can pass this information on to an Ontario inspector who will pass it on to OMAFRA to investigate if there are signs of mite resistance. Remember your the scientist out in an outdoor lab and gaining information. Any information as to possible resistance is important to be reported so products can be removed. Also be sure to rotate treatments so not to develop resistance. |
Spring
Below you can find important dates of when the latest date to apply specific treatments and be on time to place honey supers on your hive and not have issues of chemical residue in your honey.
Chart is based on applying honey supers on May 16. (Approximate date for Eastern Ontario)
(Date may vary based on location and how early or late spring comes)
| Product | Good For Season | Treatment Period | Withdrawl Time | Latest Date To Apply |
| Api Var Life | Spring, Fall | 31 days | 30 days | March 21 (Unfortunately temperatures may not allow using) |
| Apivar | Spring, Fall | 42 days | 14 days | March 24 |
| Apistan | Spring, Fall | 42 days | 0 days | April 4 |
| Bayvarol | Spring, Fall | 42 days | 0 days | April 4 |
| Check Mite + | Spring, Fall | 42-45 days | 14 days | April 1-4 |
| Formic Acid | Spring, Fall | 3 times every 5 days | 14 days | April 17 |
| Formic Pro | Spring, Summer, Fall | 14 to 20 days | 0 days | May 16 (because supers can be on) |
| Hop Guard II | Spring, Summer, Fall | 30 days | 0 days | May 16 (because supers can be on) |
| Oxalic Acid (Drip) | Fall | Can only be used in the fall when broodless | November when consistent 5C day temperatures | |
| Oxalic Acid (Vapor) | Spring, Summer, Fall | 3 times every 5 days | 15 mins | Apply anytime above 3C(37F). Use a divider between brood/supers. |
| Oxytet | Spring, Fall | 3 times every 4 days | 4 weeks | April 4 |
| Thymovar | Fall | 1st application 3-4 weeks, off 1 week, 2nd application 3-4 weeks | 14 days | Best at 20-25C, so it's not a good spring treatment. |
| Tylosin | Fall | Can only be used in the fall | After super removal in the fall |
Fall
September:
Remove honey supers approximately the long weekend of September or at the latest the 2nd weekend. Use any of the treatments in the list above.
November:
Final clean up with Oxalic Acid drip or vapor is best done when the day temperatures remain around 3-5C.