Apivar 500 mg Bee-hive Strips for Honey Bees
Active ingredient: Amitraz
Form
Bee-hive strip
Species
Manufacturer
Veto-Pharma SAS
VMD MA No.
51567/5000
What it's used for
Treatment of external parasitosis in honey bees caused by Varroa destructor .
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Paying less for Amitraz
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1
Ask your vet for a written prescription
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Apivar 500 mg Bee-hive Strips for Honey Bees — SPC Details
Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 27 Mar 2026.
2. Push the strip’s V-shaped die-cut outside.
3. Push each strip between the head of two frames inside the brood area or the
bee cluster with a minimum distance of 2 frames between strips. The strips should
be placed in such a way that the bees can have free access to both sides.
Alternatively, the strips can be hung by the hole in the V-shaped die-cut, using a
small clove (or toothpick or hanger) fixed on the frame.
If brood is not present or at its lowest level, the strips can be removed after 6 weeks
of treatment. If brood is present, leave the strips in place for 10 weeks and remove
the strips at the end of treatment.
In case the strips are covered by propolis and/or wax, at mid-treatment, it is possible
to gently scratch the strips using a hive tool. Then, the strips should be placed in the
hive again and repositioned, if necessary, in order to match the application
instructions above (in case of changes in the bee cluster or brood area).
AN: 01468/2024, 01396/2024 & 01467/2024Page 4 of 6
The product must not be administered when honey supers are present. The product
can be used after the last honey harvest (late summer/autumn) and before spring
honey-producing activity commences. Infestation monitoring is recommended to
determine the best time for treatment.
Colonies can be fed during treatment to stimulate activity and encourage contact with
the strips.
Very rare
(<1 animal / 10,000 animals treated,
including isolated reports):
Behavioural disorder
1
A transient change in behaviour (e.g. fleeing reaction, aggressive behaviour) may be
observed when the strips are first placed in the hive. This is believed to be a
defensive behaviour rather than an adverse reaction to the product, per se.
Reporting adverse events is important. It allows continuous safety monitoring of a
veterinary medicinal product. Reports should be sent, preferably via a veterinarian, to
either the marketing authorisation holder or its local representative or the national
competent authority via the national reporting system. See the package leaflet for
respective contact details.
AN: 01468/2024, 01396/2024 & 01467/2024Page 3 of 6
product can product can be used after the honey harvest. See section “Amount to be
administered and administration route”.
Do not cut the strips.
Treat all colonies in an apiary simultaneously.
Do not re-use the strips.
AN: 01468/2024, 01396/2024 & 01467/2024Page 2 of 6
The safety and efficacy of the product has only been investigated in hives with a
single brood chamber (dose of 2 strips per hive/brood chamber). Use in hives with
more than one brood chamber is not recommended.
Special precautions for safe use in the target species:
Do not exceed or reduce the recommended dose and recommended duration of use.
Remove the strips at the end of treatment.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal
product to animals
This product contains amitraz which can lead to neurological side-effects in humans.
Amitraz is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor; therefore, take particular care if you are
taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors, hypotensive treatment or if you have diabetes
Amitraz may cause skin sensitization (allergic reactions, particularly skin rashes).
Avoid contact with skin. In case of contact, wash thoroughly with soap and water.
Avoid contact with eyes. In case of contact, rinse with plenty of water immediately.
Personal protective equipment consisting of impervious gloves and the usual
beekeeping protective clothing should be worn when handling the veterinary
medicinal product.
If irritation occurs, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet of
the label to the physician.
Do not eat, drink or smoke whilst handling the veterinary medicinal product.
Keep children away during application of the veterinary medicinal product. Wash
hands after use.
Do not inhale or ingest.
Special precautions for the protection of the environment:
Do not throw strips or empty sachets in ponds or streams, as the product could be
dangerous for fish and aquatic organisms.
therapeutic activity is reduced in the presence of piperonyl butoxide. The concomitant
use of these substances with amitraz should be avoided.
Do not use any other parasiticide product at the same time.
Store in the original strips package.
Keep the strips package tightly closed. Protect from light.
Do not use during honey flow.
Do not extract honey from the brood chamber.
Do not harvest honey when the treatment is in place.
Amitraz can accumulate in wax; Brood combs should be replaced with new
foundation at least every three years. Do not recycle brood frames as honey frames.
4. <
This information is sourced from the official Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). It is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult your vet before administering any medication.
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Other Products Containing Amitraz
These products share the same active ingredient and may be suitable alternatives. Always consult your vet.
Apitraz 500 mg Bee-hive Strips for Honey Bees
AVM-GSLLaboratorios Calier, S.A.
Apitraz 500 mg Bee-hive Strips for Honey Bees
AVM-GSLLaboratorios Calier, SA
Apivar 500 mg Bee-hive Strips for Honey Bees
AVM-GSLVeto-Pharma SAS
Optivar 500 mg Beehive Strips for Honey Bees
AVM-GSLVeto-Pharma SAS
Optivar 500 mg Beehive Strips for Honey Bees
AVM-GSLVeto-Pharma SAS
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