Drugs and control products registered in Canada for use in live honeybee colonies and equipment include:
| Material | Trade Name | Formulation | Disease |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetic Acid | n.a. | liquid | equipment sterilizer |
| Amitraz | Apivar | impregnated strip | Varroa |
| coumaphos | CheckMite+ | impregnated strip | Varroa |
| fumagillin | Fumagilin-B | powder | Nosema |
| fluvalinate | Apistan | impregnated strip | Varroa |
| formic acid | n.a. | liquid | Varroa & Tracheal |
| menthol | n.a. | crystals | Tracheal |
| mineral oil (food grade) | n.a. | liquid/spray | Varroa |
| oxalic acid | n.a. | crystals-fumigant, liquid | Varroa |
| oxytetracycline hydrochloride | Terramycin Oxytet |
powder | AFB, EFB |
| vegetable oil | various | liquid | Tracheal & Varroa |
| vegetable shortening | Crisco | paste | Tracheal & Varroa |
Most of these products can be purchased at Beekeeping Supply outlets. Veterinarians, farm supply stores and pharmacies have dispensing licenses for antibiotics and often have medication in stock.
Please Note: Antibiotic medication should NOT be used as a preventative measure. Use only when disease has been detected or confirmed in other colonies of the apiary or in a nearby apiary.
Minimize use of antibiotic drug use to reduce the risk of developing antibiotic-resistant American Foulbrood (r-AFB).
Apply antibiotic according to label instructions and do not use when the expiry date has passed.
Apistan and CheckMite+ strips: store in a cool dry place away from light. Dispose used strips in garbage for landfill.
Varroa mites have developed resistance to Apistan and CheckMite+ in some parts of B.C. To minimize the risk and effects of resistance, alternate between different mite control products.
Test colonies for mite levels first, BEFORE applying mite control chemicals. DO NOT use mite controls as a preventative measure. Check for mite drop AFTER treatment to confirm that mite controls have been effective.
ALWAYS CHECK LABEL INSTRUCTIONS for storage, safe handling, application and disposal.
DO NOT use non-registered pesticides, formulations and drugs in colonies because of the danger of honey and wax contamination. Non-registered products may also be hazardous to you and others.
For additional information about drugs and chemicals, contact the Apiculture office.
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