Apivar: by your side for over 25 years
Apivar is a veterinary medicine against Varroa destructor based on amitraz. It comes in the form of plastic strips to be inserted into the hive. Easy to use, Apivar requires only a single application and can be used without temperature constraints.
Manufactured in Indre (France) since 1995, Apivar is the only French-made treatment against varroa.
New in 2025 in the UK: Redesigned packaging and a new pre-cut feature!
New formats tailored to your needs:
Apivar® is now available in 4-strip, 12-strip and 60-strip packs! No more strip waste!
New pre-cutting between the strips:
A new easy strip-separation system, with a single pre-cut that replaces the perforations.
Ease of use
Apivar stands out for its ease of use. All you need to do is place two strips in the heart of the brood to maximize contact between the bees and the treatment. A single application provides effective protection for 10 weeks.
Whether in spring or autumn, Apivar adapts to every situation, without depending on temperature variations. No need to monitor the thermometer or anticipate heat spikes during the treatment period.
A real relief for you… and for your colonies!
Tutorial: how to use Apivar?
Proven effectiveness and optimized winter survival
Studies have demonstrated the consistent effectiveness of Apivar, even after 25 years of use by beekeepers.1-2-3
But the effectiveness of a treatment is not limited solely to its action against varroa: the winter survival of colonies is also a key criterion for assessing the success of an apicultural strategy.
An analysis covering 10 years of studies (from 2010 to 2020) revealed significant differences in winter mortality depending on the treatment used.4 Colonies treated with Apivar showed an average winter mortality of 16%, compared with 18% to 35% for the other medications evaluated.4
Thanks to its good tolerance in bees, Apivar is a reliable and sustainable solution, combining proven effectiveness with the preservation of winter survival.
Questions about varroa resistance to amitraz?
This practical guide provides information on varroa resistance to amitraz-based treatments and offers advice on the proper use of medications as part of an integrated pest management strategy.
French manufacturing and pharmaceutical quality
Apivar is manufactured in France in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and meets strict pharmaceutical quality standards.
Each batch undergoes rigorous testing and quality control before being marketed. Batches that do not meet regulatory standards or product specifications are immediately rejected and destroyed in the event of any anomaly.
References
1- Study conducted in France (department 49) in 2015 on 40 colonies (5 groups of 8 colonies) over a 6- to 10-week period, under standard dosing (2 strips per hive) and overdosing (3 strips per hive). Forty-day honey flow followed by residue testing in honey supers. TESTAPI study No. 226-2015 (Field study to collect specimens from honeybee colonies (Apis mellifera L) for analysis, following Spring in-Hive Application of 500 mg amitraz strips)
2–Testapi – Rapport d’étude 302-2017 (GLP Study) – Study conducted in France on 15 colonies: 2 strips for 10 weeks.
3- Testapi – Rapport d’étude 353-2018 (GLP Study) – Study conducted in France on 18 colonies: 2 strips for 10 weeks.
4- Enquête 2020 – Région Grand Est « Etat des ruches en sortie d’hiver » – ADA Grand-Est (Alexis Ballis) – Mai 2020. Statistical difference not available for this study.
Legal notices :
APIVAR® 500 mg Amitraz Bee-hive strips for honey bees.
Indications for use: Treatment of varroosis due to Varroa destructor. Contraindication(s): None. Withdrawal periods: Honey: zero days. 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 last every three years. Do not recycle brood frames as honey frames.
Read carefully the instructions on the product booklet label before use.
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.
If side effects are noted, seek immediate medical assistance and show the label to the physician. vUK0625-gp
Apivar is a veterinary medicinal product. Please ask advice to your veterinarian, pharmacist or sanitary organization. In case of persistence of clinical signs, consult with your veterinarian.
APV-167-UK-N01-11/25