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Depiction:
Le traitement estival contre le varroa constitue un élément essentiel du concept de lutte contre le varroa. Il vise à réduire efficacement l’infestation après la récolte du miel afin de protéger l’élevage des abeilles d’hiver. L’aide-mémoire donne une vue d’ensemble des méthodes autorisées et de leurs conditions d’application. Les informations suivantes sont basées sur l’aide-mémoire officiel 1.2 du Service sanitaire apicole suisse.
Summer treatment is a central component of varroa control in Switzerland. The Liebig dispenser is a widely used method for the application of formic acid (Formivar) and requires correct handling to ensure both efficacy and tolerability. The summary below is based exclusively on the official practical guide (BGD/SSA) and refers to the complete instructions.
The Nassenheider evaporator is an approved system for the controlled application of formic acid in varroa control. Correct handling as well as consideration of temperature, dosage, and safety measures are essential for the efficacy and tolerability of the treatment. The following information is based on the official Practical Guide 1.2.2 of the Swiss Bee Health Service.
This official factsheet describes the use of the FAM dispenser with Formivar 70% and focuses on protective measures, required equipment, key points, and a clearly structured procedure. It specifically emphasizes that formic acid (Formivar) is highly corrosive and must be handled with great care. For details and the complete instructions, the factsheet is considered the authoritative reference.
The FAM dispenser is an approved device for the treatment of honey bee colonies with formic acid and is primarily used for varroa control. Correct application is essential, as formic acid is highly corrosive and improper handling poses risks to both humans and bees. The following information is based on the official Practical Guide 1.2.3 of the Swiss Bee Health Service.
The Apidea dispenser is an approved evaporation system for the application of formic acid in small mating units and nucleus colonies. Due to the high sensitivity of these units, strict adherence to the prescribed procedure is particularly important. The following information is based exclusively on the official Practical Guide 1.2.4 of the Swiss Bee Health Service.
Treatment with formic acid strips (Formicpro®) is an approved method for controlling the varroa mite during the brood-rearing phase of the honey bee colony. It enables controlled release of the active substance over a defined period. The following information is based on the official Practical Guide 1.2.5 of the Swiss Bee Health Service.
Spray treatment is a biotechnical method for varroa control, primarily applied to broodless or nearly broodless honey bee colonies. It is based on the direct wetting of the bees with an approved solution and requires precise and careful handling. The following information is based on the official Practical Guide 1.3.1 of the Swiss Bee Health Service.
Dribble treatment with oxalic acid is an established method in Switzerland for winter varroa control. Broodless colonies (or colonies with only open brood), correct preparation of the solution, and strict protective measures are essential, as oxalic acid is strongly irritating and harmful to health. The summary below is based exclusively on the official practical guide (BGD/SSA) and refers to the complete instructions/package leaflet.
Vaporisation/sublimation of oxalic acid is a winter treatment recommended in Switzerland against varroa, provided that colonies are broodless or contain only open brood. Vaporisation is carried out using a dedicated sublimator/vaporiser device; correct application is essential for both efficacy and safety. The following summary is based exclusively on the official Practical Guide 1.3.3 (V 2511) of the SSA / BGD.
The creation of nucleus colonies, alongside drone brood removal, is a central biotechnical measure to slow the development of varroa. Practical Guide 1.4 compares the methods described by the Swiss Bee Health Service (1.4.2–1.4.7) and supports decision-making. The basis is the official Practical Guide 1.4 “Overview of Methods for Nucleus Colony Formation” (V 2511).
Targeted drone brood removal is a practical measure for reducing the varroa population. It uses the different brood characteristics of drones to remove mites from the brood nest and interrupt their reproductive cycle. The following summary is based on the official Practical Guide 1.4.1 of the Swiss Bee Health Service.
The artificial swarm is a beekeeping method for establishing new colonies in which bees are deliberately taken from existing colonies and reassembled. It serves, among other purposes, colony multiplication, rehabilitation of affected colonies, and reduction of varroa. The following information is based on the official Practical Guide 1.4.2 of the Swiss Bee Health Service.
A queen or artificial swarm is a method for establishing a new colony with a defined queen. It is deliberately created to build strong, vigorous colonies, form nucleus colonies, or carry out rehabilitation measures. The summary below is based on the official Practical Guide 1.4.3 of the Swiss Bee Health Service.
The brood nucleus colony is an established beekeeping method for creating new colonies based on brood combs from existing colonies. It serves colony multiplication, swarm prevention, and can contribute to reducing varroa pressure. The following information is based on the official Practical Guide 1.4.4 of the Swiss Bee Health Service.
The creation of collective brood nuclei serves colony multiplication, supplementary feeding, or the rehabilitation of weakened stocks. This section summarises the key points of the official Practical Guide 1.4.4.1 and refers to the complete original source.
The establishment of a flying nucleus colony (a nucleus formed at midday from a collective brood nucleus with an additional rearing unit) serves to deliberately supply young colonies with forager bees during the day and to promote their development. The following summary is based exclusively on the official Practical Guide 1.4.5 (BGD/SSA) and refers to the original source.
The natural swarm is the natural form of colony reproduction and occurs primarily in spring and early summer. It represents both an opportunity for colony multiplication and a challenge for apiary management. The following information is based on the official Practical Guide 1.4.6 of the Swiss Bee Health Service.
Colony multiplication based on swarming impulse makes targeted use of the natural reproductive drive of honey bee colonies for the formation of nucleus colonies. When correctly applied, this method allows simple multiplication and the use of existing queen cells, but it requires careful observation and timely intervention. The following information is based on the official Practical Guide 1.4.7 of the Swiss Bee Health Service (BGD).
Measuring the natural mite fall is a simple method for assessing varroa infestation without treatment intervention. It provides orientation on the infestation level and supports decision-making regarding further measures. The following information is based on the official Practical Guide 1.5.1 of the Swiss Bee Health Service.
The powdered sugar method is a non-destructive diagnostic technique for estimating varroa mite infestation in honey bees. It provides an estimate of the mite load by dislodging mites from the bees’ bodies using powdered sugar, allowing them to be counted. The following summary is based on the official Practical Guide 1.5.2 of the Swiss Bee Health Service.