Bayvarol® Varroa Control Miticide Strips – APVMA Permit PER95037

Effective synthetic varroa control for Australian beekeepers

Bayvarol® is a proven synthetic miticide used for the control of Varroa destructor in honey bee colonies under APVMA Permit PER95037. It is designed for use when mite populations are present but have not yet reached critical levels, and can also be deployed in severe infestations where colony survival is at risk.

Bayvarol® is currently supplied to varroa-affected Australian states only, in line with regulatory requirements.

Product Overview

Bayvarol® strips contain the active ingredient flumethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid that targets the varroa mite’s nervous system, causing paralysis and death. The formulation delivers a very low active dose to the hive, while maintaining high efficacy against mites on adult bees and those entering the colony.

• Relative effectiveness: ~96% when used as directed
• Treatment period: 6–8 weeks
• Active ingredient: Flumethrin 3.6 mg per strip
• Mode of Action (MOA): Nervous system disruption (rotate with products of a different MOA – not Apistan)

When to Use

• Best efficacy is typically achieved after honey harvest in late summer, but Bayvarol® may be used at any time of year if required.
• Avoid use during peak honey flows wherever possible.
• In emergency situations where treatment is necessary while supers are present, comb honey must not be sold.

For beekeepers harvesting honey over extended periods, ongoing mite monitoring is essential and treatments should be scheduled between honey collection periods.

Application Instructions

• Dosage:
  • Single brood box: 4 strips per brood chamber
  • Double brood box: 8 strips total
  • 5-frame nucs, young colonies, or swarms: 2 strips per chamber

⚠️ Never underdose. Using fewer strips than directed significantly increases the risk of resistance, as seen in overseas markets.

• Placement:
  • Bend back the two tabs and hook each strip over the top bar of a wooden brood frame.
  • Suspend strips between frames in the central brood rearing area (e.g. between frames 3 & 4 and 7 & 8 in a 10-frame hive).
  • Do not place strips in honey supers.
• Removal:
  • Remove and dispose of strips after 6–8 weeks.
  • Strips must not be re-used.

A single treatment per colony is sufficient when used correctly.

Honey & Withholding

• Withholding period (WHP):

  • Honey: Not required when used as directed

• Honey extracted from the brood box must be tested for residues prior to sale.

• Do not produce comb honey or beeswax while using Bayvarol®, due to residue accumulation risks in brood comb and propolis.

Resistance & Rotation

There is a recognised resistance risk if Bayvarol® is:

• Underdosed
• Used repeatedly without rotation
• Used sequentially with products of the same MOA (e.g. Apistan)

To maintain long-term effectiveness, rotate Bayvarol® with treatments that use a different mode of action.

Bee Safety

• No increase in adult bee mortality has been observed when Bayvarol® is used as directed.

Safety & Handling

• Chemical Schedule: Schedule 5 – CAUTION
• Avoid skin contact
• Wear gauntlet-length chemical-resistant gloves when handling or removing strips
• Wash hands thoroughly after use

First Aid:
If poisoning occurs, contact a doctor or the Poisons Information Centre – Australia: 13 11 26

Bayvarol® is toxic to aquatic organisms. Avoid contamination of waterways.

Storage & Disposal

• Storage: Below 25°C, in a cool, dry place away from food
• Disposal: Wrap used strips in paper and place in household rubbish

Record Keeping (Permit Requirement)

Beekeepers must maintain records of all Bayvarol® use under PER95037, including:

• Date and location of treatment
• Quantity used
• Name and address of the person applying the product

Records must be kept for a minimum of two years and made available to APVMA or relevant state authorities upon request.

Packaging

• 20 strips per packet (4 strips per sealed foil)
• 800 individual strips per carton
• Treats up to 200 hives*
  *Based on single brood box treatment. Double brood boxes require double the dose.

Bayvarol® remains a key tool for Australian beekeepers managing varroa, when used responsibly, at full label rates, and as part of an integrated varroa management programme.