This Beekeeping Today Podcast Shorts series offers a focused, 20-minute-or-less look at each major varroa treatment option available to U.S. beekeepers. Hosted by Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman with expert guidance from Dr. David Peck of Betterbee, each episode explores a single treatment, breaking down the product name, chemical classification, application methods, mode of action, pros, cons, and practical field considerations. Whether you’re looking to fine-tune your Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan or trying to understand a new product before using it, this series will become your go-to resource for informed and effective mite control. Start with Episode 1 for an overview of varroa biology, lifecycle, and testing, then jump into the treatment that fits your season and strategy.
Introduction - Understanding Varroa and the Need for Treatment
In this kickoff episode of the BTP Shorts: Varroa Treatment Series, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman team up with Dr. David Peck of Betterbee to lay the foundation for what every beekeeper needs to know: why varroa mites are such a serious threat to honey bee colonies. David walks listeners through the varroa mite’s lifecycle, how they reproduce under brood caps, and why visual inspection alone isn’t enough to monitor infestations. The trio also covers key testing methods, including alcohol wash and sticky boards, and discusses how even low mite levels can spread devastating viruses. This short sets the stage for the rest of the series, giving listeners the context needed to make informed, seasonally timed treatment decisions.
VarroxSan Extended-Release Oxalic Acid Strips
In this episode, Jeff, Becky, and Dr. David Peck explore VarroxSan, an extended-release oxalic acid treatment that offers slow, sustained mite control over a 6–8 week period. David explains how the organic acid is delivered through glycerin-soaked fiberboard strips, making it ideal for use during honey flows—provided proper spacing is followed. The team covers the product’s origins, mode of action (even if not fully understood), and practical benefits like minimal brood disruption and ease of application. They also discuss the limitations, including its reduced effectiveness during cold clustering and in colonies with high mite loads.
Apistan & CheckMite+: Lessons from the Early Days of Varroa
In this episode, the team reflects on the first generation of synthetic miticides—Apistan (fluvalinate) and CheckMite+ (coumaphos)—which once revolutionized varroa control in the U.S. Dr. David Peck traces their rise, fall, and the resistance that followed widespread overuse. While these products are largely sidelined today due to residue concerns and diminished effectiveness, they remain important case studies in the evolution of varroa management and the ongoing need for treatment diversity.
Apivar (Amitraz): Still Effective, But For How Long (Available July 25, 2025)
This episode takes a close look at Apivar, the widely used amitraz-based miticide known for its effectiveness and minimal hive disruption. Dr. David Peck explains how Apivar works, when to use it, and why it remains a go-to choice for many beekeepers. But with emerging signs of resistance and misuse in commercial operations, the conversation also sounds a cautionary note about overreliance on any one treatment. Listeners will learn how Apivar fits into a responsible IPM plan—and why rotating treatments is more critical than ever.