FAQ

Slow-release varroa mite treatments are important to manage mite infestations in the long term. However, flash treatments with Amiflex offer additional benefits, such as lowering the mite infestation during the season (in-between honey flows) and providing a quick knock-down effect at the beginning of the slow-release treatment. This can help reduce the overall impact of varroa mites on the colony during the beekeeping season and improve the effectiveness of the slow-release treatment.

Amiflex is intended to complement the varroa treatment toolbox of beekeepers and is not meant to replace regular slow-release treatments. By providing an alternative mode of action, Amiflex supports an integrated pest management (IPM) approach to varroa mite control.

The Amiflex gel is a contact delivery system for varroa mite control, similar to other treatments like Apivar. The gel’s active ingredient, amitraz, is released through contact with the bees and gradually spreads throughout the colony when bees interact or get in physical contact with each other.

A pack of Amiflex contains 10 cartridges or 120ml of gel each.

The number of colonies that you can treat with one Amiflex pack depends on the hive type (single or double):

• Single hives will require 2 doses of 3ml of gel = you can treat up to 200 colonies with one pack.
• Double hives will require 4 doses of 3ml of gel (two doses per brood box) = you can treat up to 100 colonies with one pack.

While Amiflex can be used in broodless colonies to achieve a higher efficacy (up to 99%), it is not mandatory to use it in broodless colonies only. Amiflex can also be applied in-between honey flows or right before a slow-release treatment to help reduce mite infestations, as long as honey supers are not on the hives.

In case of high infestation, we recommend making two consecutive applications of Amiflex, with a 7-day break in between each application. Please refer to product labeling for complete instructions.

That’s an excellent question, and we have a great answer. Amiflex is accompanied by a dosing gun that ensures accurate dosing. With this dosing gun, there’s no need to worry about different metrics, whether they are milliliters or ounces. Simply pull the trigger twice per brood box, and you’re done!

Furthermore, we are committed to making Amiflex available in more countries and using a standardized dosing gun is a step towards that goal. That’s why we opted for milliliters as the unit of measurement.

No, the dosing of Amiflex has been standardized at two lines of 3ml of gel each (totaling 6ml) per brood chamber. This recommended dosage provides sufficient flexibility to accommodate various hive types.

Amiflex has been tested extensively in different apiaries in France – on Langstroth and Dadant hives. These field tests include studies on efficacy, toxicity, residues in hive products, and shelf life. We are working together with US commercial beekeeping operations to test Amiflex on US commercial hives as well.

Unlike many other varroa treatment products, Amiflex is not highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations and does not require application within strict temperature ranges. Nevertheless, it should not be exposed to extreme conditions, such as direct sunlight or temperatures as high as 100°F. To preserve its efficacy, Amiflex should be stored in a cool, shaded place away from intense heat which could cause the gel to melt.

The pricing of Amiflex is determined with our local distributors and may vary based on the volume of your purchase. For detailed pricing information and to obtain a cost estimate per colony, please reach out directly to your nearest distributor.

For the moment, we are focusing on distributing Amiflex in its current packaging of 10 cartridges, which was designed to provide commercial beekeepers with a legal treatment solution to manage varroa mites in between honey flows.

Please also note that each pack of Amiflex is suitable for treating 100 to 200 hives (depending on the hive type) making it a viable option for sideliner beekeepers as well.

While we do not have plans for smaller packaging as of now, we will certainly keep everyone updated if that changes in the future.

The shelf life of an unopened Amiflex pack is 24 months after manufacturing, as indicated on the EPA label.

However, it’s important to note that this shelf life is only valid if the pack has been stored properly. To ensure the product’s efficacy and longevity, it’s recommended to store unopened cartridges in a cool, dry area, away from direct sunlight.

After opening the aluminum sachet containing the 10 cartridges, we advise you to use all cartridges within 3 months.

Store unopened cartridges in the original aluminum bag (try to close it as much as you can) in a cool, dry area, away from direct sunlight and other pesticides that could potentially contaminate the product.

After initiating the first use of a cartridge, it is important to immediately use the Amiflex gel in this cartridge and discard any remaining unused product.

Despite the lower concentration, Amiflex has been demonstrated to be highly effective at reducing varroa mite infestations in bee colonies. The product’s unique gel formulation has been specifically developed for short-term release of amitraz, maximizing the efficacy during the 7-day treatment period.

It is important to keep in mind that the concentration of the active ingredient is not the only factor that determines treatment efficacy. The formulation also relies on other ingredients, which enable a better release of the active ingredient.

Our laboratory experiments have shown that different formulations, even with the same concentration of amitraz, produce varying results depending on the excipients used in the formulation. This is why the use of illegal treatments does not provide constant results in terms of efficacy or toxicity for bees, and why it’s crucial to only rely on registered treatments that have been extensively tested.

Amitraz has been used globally in varroa control for several decades. It has been established in several research studies that the toxic dose of amitraz for honey bees is much higher than the dose required to kill varroa mites.

A recent study has found that residues of amitraz metabolites commonly found in beeswax do not negatively affect traits such as sperm viability in drones, queen mass, egg laying pattern, or emergence mass of worker bees.*

Our own toxicity studies with Amiflex that were conducted in the framework of the authorization process demonstrate that treatment with Amiflex does not negatively impact worker bee mortality or the amounts of brood present in the colony either.

This does not mean that amitraz is not toxic to honey bees at all. But it demonstrates that the use of authorized treatments such as Amiflex^® and Apivar^®, which have been carefully developed and dosed appropriately, is crucial to treat honey bee colonies safely against varroa mites with amitraz-based miticides.

*McAfee, Alison, et al. “Honey bee queen health is unaffected by contact exposure to pesticides commonly found in beeswax.” Scientific Reports 11.1 (2021): 1-12.)

Before the authorization of Amiflex, no legal amitraz-based flash treatment against varroa mites was available. Especially amongst sideliner and commercial beekeepers, the need for a flexible amitraz-based treatment that can be used on short notice in between honey flows or as a quick knock-down treatment before / after slow-release treatments became apparent over the years.

Why amitraz-based? Because amitraz is largely independent from ambient temperatures when used as a miticide during the season. Unlike some of the flash or short-term treatments based on organic compounds, amitraz release is not associated with temperature-dependent evaporation.

Of course, the responsible use of amitraz-based varroa treatments is necessary to retain treatment efficacy. Amiflex represents a different, more flexible option to use amitraz in varroa control, not a “second Apivar”. We therefore recommend to alternate active ingredients in varroa treatments in order to preserve the efficacy of amitraz-based products.

While it is not entirely certain whether bees ingest any amount of Amiflex gel, there have been no observations of bees consuming the product during its application. Importantly, Amiflex has undergone rigorous toxicity testing and has demonstrated no abnormal bee mortality or behaviour change during or after treatment.

That’s an excellent question, and we have a great answer. Amiflex is accompanied by a dosing gun that ensures accurate dosing. With this dosing gun, there’s no need to worry about different metrics, whether they are milliliters or ounces. Simply pull the trigger twice per brood box, and you’re done!

Furthermore, we are committed to making Amiflex available in more countries and using a standardized dosing gun is a step towards that goal. That’s why we opted for milliliters as the unit of measurement.

No, the dosing of Amiflex has been standardized at two lines of 3ml of gel each (totaling 6ml) per brood chamber. This recommended dosage provides sufficient flexibility to accommodate various hive types.

Unlike many other varroa treatment products, Amiflex is not highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations and does not require application within strict temperature ranges. Nevertheless, it should not be exposed to extreme conditions, such as direct sunlight or temperatures as high as 100°F. To preserve its efficacy, Amiflex should be stored in a cool, shaded place away from intense heat which could cause the gel to melt.

Using a different applicator tool with Amiflex is not recommended. The specially designed Amiflex dosing gun ensures the precise and consistent dosage necessary for each treatment. Employing an alternative applicator tool may result in inconsistent dosing, potentially affecting the effectiveness of the treatment.

The shelf life of an unopened Amiflex pack is 24 months after manufacturing, as indicated on the EPA label.

However, it’s important to note that this shelf life is only valid if the pack has been stored properly. To ensure the product’s efficacy and longevity, it’s recommended to store unopened cartridges in a cool, dry area, away from direct sunlight.

After opening the aluminum sachet containing the 10 cartridges, we advise you to use all cartridges within 3 months.

Store unopened cartridges in the original aluminum bag (try to close it as much as you can) in a cool, dry area, away from direct sunlight and other pesticides that could potentially contaminate the product.

After initiating the first use of a cartridge, it is important to immediately use the Amiflex gel in this cartridge and discard any remaining unused product.

The EPA label recommends that any unused or excess product should be disposed of according to state, and local regulations. It is important to avoid contaminating water sources, and to not reuse or refill empty syringes. Please check your local regulations or contact your local waste disposal authority for more information on proper disposal of pesticides in your area.

The wooden supports are intended to help you remove any leftover gel from the hive once the treatment is complete. Applying the gel directly to the top bars can make it difficult to remove the gel that remains after the treatment period, and would have led to a withdrawal period before being able to place honey supers back on the hive.

By using the wooden supports, you can easily remove any leftover gel at the end of the 7-day treatment, and then place the honey supers back on the hive right away, without any additional waiting period.

Additionally, this approach helps prevent the presence of small quantities of amitraz inside the hive after treatment. This is beneficial for maintaining the sensitivity of varroa mites towards amitraz.

When registering a varroa treatment, we have to test it extensively to ensure that it doesn’t leave high amounts of residues in honey or wax, which can affect the safety of the consumers.

However, this does not mean that mite treatments can be used during honey flow when honey supers are on, as there is still a risk of residues being left behind. Thus, like most other authorized varroa mite treatments, Amiflex should only be used outside of honey flow.

The short treatment period of Amiflex (7 days) allows for great flexibility of the treatment timing: before, in-between, or right after a honey flow.

Furthermore, there is no withdrawal period for Amiflex, which means that beekeepers can place the honey supers back on the hives right after removing the product at the end of the treatment.

You can use Amiflex in two consecutive applications with a 7-day break in between. It will make a total of 21 days and will cover a full cycle of worker bee brood.

Amiflex should be applied as a supportive treatment to efficiently reduce mite infestation during the season (before, in-between, or right after honey flows). It provides efficient support in varroa mite control, in addition to the main (end-of-season) varroa treatment.

It is our recommendation to alternate varroa treatments with different active ingredients for sustainable varroa control. Specifically, we do not recommend using amitraz-based treatments only during the same season, from spring until fall.

However, you can apply Amiflex in spring (one or two applications), for example before the first honey flow, and then use Apivar as your end-of season treatment later in the year. Likewise, you can also apply Amiflex in-between honey flows and later apply Apivar as an end-of season treatment after the last honey flow.

If you plan on using both treatments within the same season, we strongly recommend that you consider applying another active ingredient in between both treatments and/or after the Apivar treatment. The rotation of active ingredients in varroa treatments helps delay the onset of resistance.

Yes, Amiflex is officially registered with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at the federal level, confirming its compliance with all necessary safety and efficacy standards.

As for state-level registration, processes are underway individually since each state upholds distinct regulatory criteria. To date, Amiflex has secured approval in all states except the following, where registration is still pending: California (CA), Hawaii (HI), New York (NY), Oregon (OR), and Tennessee (TN).

Registration timelines can range from several weeks to a few months, varying by state. We will continuously update our website with the latest information as each new state approval is granted.

Usage of Amiflex within the United States is legal when applied in strict adherence to the EPA’s guidelines and the specific regulations set forth by other pertinent state authorities.

You can purchase Amiflex through various beekeeping supply outlets. For the most current list of suppliers, please scroll down after clicking on this link.

We are actively expanding our distribution network, and you can expect to see more retailers offering Amiflex in the coming weeks and months. Keep an eye on our updates!

We value your interest in Amiflex and are committed to making it readily accessible to beekeepers throughout the United States.

We are actively working on registering Amiflex in the state of California. However, the registration process in California can be more complex than in other states due to their unique regulations and requirements. Therefore, we cannot provide a specific timeline for registration in California at this time. We will make sure to update our website and inform our customers as soon as Amiflex is registered in California.

Our team is working diligently to register Amiflex in more countries, but it’s important to note that each country has its own unique requirements and regulatory processes that we must adhere to. In the European Union and many other countries, Amiflex is considered a veterinary medicine, which can result in more lengthy and complex registration procedures.

We will keep our customers updated as we receive more information regarding availability and prescription status in different countries.

Amiflex has been designated as a Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP). This classification means that it can only be handled and applied by certified applicators who have successfully completed specialized training and are licensed by either state or federal authorities. The RUP status ensures that the use of such pesticides is conducted safely and effectively.

To become a certified applicator, one must complete the required training and pass an examination.

For those interested in more detailed information regarding pesticide safety regulations and certification programs in your area, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers an extensive directory of state pesticide safety education programs. You can access this resource at: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-worker-safety/pesticide-safety-education-programs-0.