In this Varroa Treatments Short, Jeff and Becky are once again joined by Dr. David Peck of Betterbee to examine two early weapons in the war against varroa: Apistan and CheckMite+. These synthetic miticides—fluvalinate and coumaphos—once gave beekeepers a critical lifeline when varroa first emerged in U.S. apiaries in the late 1980s. But what started as a breakthrough quickly turned into a warning tale of overuse, resistance, and long-lasting chemical residues.

David walks us through the history of these treatments, how their effectiveness faded with repeated use, and what their legacy teaches us about the importance of rotating miticides in integrated pest management (IPM). Although still available, neither Apistan nor CheckMite+ are commonly recommended today due to widespread resistance and the risk of beeswax contamination. David also discusses their potential relevance in places like Madagascar—where resistance hasn’t yet developed—and their limited role in research targeting future threats like Tropilaelaps mites.

This episode is a reminder that while tools may lose their edge, the lessons they leave behind are invaluable for today’s beekeepers navigating the ever-evolving varroa landscape.

Links & Resources:

Honey Bee Health Coalition: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org/resources/varroa-management/
Betterbee Pest Management Resource Page: https://www.betterbee.com/instructions-and-resources/pest-management.asp

Brought to you by Betterbee – your partners in better beekeeping.

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Betterbee is the presenting sponsor of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Betterbee’s mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com

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[Bonus] Short - Varroa Treatments: Apistan & Checkmite+

Beekeeping Today Podcast