Content
Amitraz is a medicinal substance that is part of preparations for the treatment of bee diseases. They are used for prophylactic purposes and to eliminate tick-borne infections in the hive. Acquaintance with these drugs should be carried out by every beekeeper who cares about the health of his wards.
The use of amitraz in beekeeping
Amitraz is an organic compound of artificial origin. It is also called acaricide. The substance is classified as triazopentadiene compounds. Medicines based on amitraz are effectively used to combat acarapidosis and varroatosis in bees. In some cases, they are used to prevent these diseases. Due to the moderate degree of toxicity in the use of amitraz, it is extremely important to observe safety precautions.
Amitraz has a targeted effect on ticks, which are sources of varroatosis and acarapidosis. Preparations based on it are released in the form of a solution. With its help, a bee dwelling is processed during a period of increased likelihood of infection.
Due to the increased toxicity, the treatment of the hive with 10 μg of amitraz leads to the death of about half of the bees. Therefore, to achieve a therapeutic effect, use the minimum dosage.
When infected with acarapidosis, mites concentrate in the trachea of bees. It is not always possible to diagnose the disease in a timely manner, since the first signs of the disease become noticeable only a few years after infection. Treatment with amitraz leads to the death of ticks. But the beekeepers may get the impression that the drug has also harmed the bees. After treatment, isolated corpses of insects can be found at the bottom of the hive. The cause of their death is the blockage of the trachea by ticks. This fact has no direct relationship with treatment.
Preparations based on amitraz
There are several medicines containing amitraz, which beekeepers are actively using to treat tick-borne diseases. They differ in additional components and the concentration of the active substance. The most effective drugs include:
- "Polisan";
- Apivarol;
- "Bipin";
- Apitak;
- "TEDA";
- "Tactician";
- "Varropol";
- Amipol-T.
Polisan
"Polisan" is produced in the form of special strips, which, when burned, form smoke with an acute acaricidal effect. It actively affects adults of varroatosis and acarapidosis ticks. It is customary to use the drug in the spring after the flight of bees and in the fall after the harvest. This avoids the penetration of the medicinal substance into the honey.
The bee hive is treated with Polisan at temperatures above 10 ° C. It is advisable to carry out the treatment early in the morning or in the evening, after the bees return to their home. One strip of the preparation is designed for 10 frames with honeycombs. The packaging should be opened immediately before being placed in the hive. One hour after placing the strip, check the complete combustion. If it is completely covered, the entrances are opened to ventilate the bee house.
Apivarol
Apivarol is available for purchase in tablet form. The concentration of the active substance is 12.5%. The country of manufacture of the drug is Poland. For this reason, the cost of Apivarol is higher than the price of other drugs with amitraz.Most often, the drug is used to treat varroatosis in bees.
The tablet is set on fire, and after the appearance of the flame, it is blown out. This causes the tablet to continue to smolder, emitting puffs of smoke. 1 tablet is enough for the course of treatment. It is advisable to use a metal backing to support the glowing tablet. It is placed in the middle of the nest through the notch. It is important to ensure that the strip does not touch the wood. The bees are treated for 20 minutes. In some cases, it is repeated, but no later than after 5 days.
Bipin
"Bipin" is a yellowish liquid with a repulsive odor. On sale it is found in packs with ampoules of 0.5 ml and 1 ml. Before use, the drug is diluted with water at the rate of 1 ml of the product per 2 liters of water. The water temperature should not exceed 40 ° C. The medicine must be used immediately after dilution. Otherwise, it will deteriorate.
To treat the bees, the solution is poured into a plastic bottle with holes in the lid. You can also use a medical syringe or smoke cannon. If necessary, it is made independently using materials at hand. Processing must be carried out in a protective suit. It is equally important to protect the respiratory system from poisonous smoke.
Apitak
"Apitak" is produced in ampoules with a solution at a concentration of 12.5%. The volume of 1 ml and 0.5 ml is available for purchase. 1 package contains 2 ampoules with a solution. In addition to the main component, the preparation contains neonol and thyme oil.
Apitak for bees is used mainly for varroatosis. The desired effect is achieved due to the pronounced acaricidal action. The active substance blocks the transmission of nerve impulses in ticks, which leads to their death. Thyme oil enhances the action of the main component. That is why the drug is in great demand.
With the help of "Apitak" bees are treated in the fall. The most favorable conditions for the procedure are at temperatures from 0 ° C to 7 ° C. In the middle lane, processing is carried out in mid-October.
Before carrying out therapeutic measures, 0.5 ml of the substance is diluted in 1 liter of warm water. 10 ml of the resulting emulsion is calculated per street. Re-processing of the bee dwelling is carried out in a week. In the smoke-gun "Apitak" is put in the case when it is necessary to get rid of not only varroatosis, but also of acarapidosis. Spraying the drug is considered less effective.
TEDA
In order to fumigate the bee dweller, the drug "TEDA" is often used for bees. Instructions for use dictate that the hive be treated three times for varroatosis and six times for acarapidosis. A medicinal product based on amitraz is produced in the form of a cord, 7 cm long. The package contains 10 pieces.
The drug "TEDA" for bees is used in the autumn. The main condition for processing is a temperature not lower than 10 ° C. For the treatment of one bee colony, 1 cord is enough. It is set on fire at one end and laid on plywood. In a smoldering state, the cord should lie in the hive until it burns out completely. For the period of processing, the entrance must be closed.
Tactician
"Tactic" relieves the hive of varroatosis due to the acaricidal action of amitraz. When used correctly, amitraz does not have a negative effect on bees and does not reduce the quality of honey. The drug is sold as a solution with a high concentration of active ingredient. 1 ml of solution is enough for 20 treatments. Before use, "Tactic" is diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 2.
The process of dilution of the solution is carried out immediately before processing. Amitraz is not intended for long-term storage. The process of spreading "Tactics" is carried out with the help of a smoke cannon.
Varropol
The release form of "Varropol" differs from other variations with the content of amitraz. The drug is in strips. They are placed in the hive for a long time. It is not required to ignite the strips. Bees will independently carry amitraz around their dwelling with the help of the hairs that cover their body. 6 frames will require 1 strip of "Varropol".
Care must be taken when unfolding the amitraz strips. It is advisable to first put on rubber gloves on your hands. After processing, do not touch the face. This can lead to the contact of toxic substances in the eyes.
Amipol-t
"Amipol-T" is produced in the format of smoldering stripes. Amitraz acts as the main active ingredient. For 10 frames, 2 strips are enough. If the bee colony is small, then one strip is enough. It is placed in the middle of the nest. The length of time the strips are in the hive varies from 3 to 30 days. It depends on the degree of neglect of the disease and the amount of printed brood.
The location of the stripes and their number depend on how weak the family is. They put 2 pieces in a strong family - between 3 and 4 cells and between 7 and 8. In a weak family, one strip will be enough.
Shelf life and storage conditions
Preparations containing amitraz retain their properties on average for 2 years from the date of manufacture. The optimum storage temperature ranges from 0 ° C to 25 ° C. It is advisable to keep medicines in a dark place, away from children. The diluted medicine in emulsion format can only be stored for a few hours. It is advisable to process the bees immediately after cooking, as amitraz quickly deteriorates. With proper use and storage, the likelihood of developing negative consequences is extremely small.
Conclusion
Amitraz is highly effective. The success rate for mites removal is 98%. The disadvantages of the substance include high toxicity. To avoid unforeseen complications, you need to follow safety precautions.
