Apivar Original + Apivar 2.0 Varroa Mite Strips

Apivar® And Apivar® 2.0 Varroa Mite Treatment Strips

Apivar and Apivar 2.0 are trusted synthetic varroa mite treatments used by beekeepers worldwide to control mite populations in honey bee colonies. Both use Amitraz as the active ingredient, delivered through flexible polymer strips placed in the brood chamber. Bees contact the strips, pick up the active ingredient, and distribute it throughout the hive—killing mites without harming brood, queens, or adult bees when used as directed.

Both treatments can be used in a wide range of temperatures, making them ideal in warm summers when many other treatments require cooler conditions.

Apivar Original

• Amitraz Content: 3.33% by weight

• Treatment Duration: 42–56 days (max)

• Best Use: Steady, reliable mite control over multiple brood cycles

• Seasonal Timing: After removing honey supers in midsummer to early fall; also suitable for spring use before adding supers. Must wait 14 days after removing Apivar Original before adding supers.

• Packaging Sizes: 4, 12, or 60 strips (treats 2, 6, or 30 colonies)

• Strip Dimensions: Approx. 10.2 in (26 cm) long × 1.6 in (4.1 cm) wide × 0.04 in (1 mm) thick

• Efficacy: Proven 95–99% mite kill rate in field trials for over 10 years

Directions: Use 2 strips per brood chamber (1 per 5 frames of bees). Hang strips in the brood area so bees can walk on both sides. Remove after treatment period. Wait 14 days before adding honey supers.

Apivar 2.0

• Amitraz Content: 3.00% by weight  – 16% less than original

• Faster Knockdown: Significant mite drop in the first 2–3 weeks

• Extended Control: Effective for 6–10 weeks (up to 70 days max)

• Zero-Day Withholding: Honey supers can be added immediately after removal

• Improved Design: Built-in hangers (no toothpicks/wires), adjustable length for Langstroth, Dadant, or Layens hives

• Packaging Sizes: 4, 12, or 60 strips (treats 2, 6, or 30 colonies)

• Strip Dimensions: 11.1 in (28.2 cm) long × 1.6 in (4.1 cm) wide × 0.04 in (1 mm) thick, with pre-scored fold line

Seasonal Timing: Ideal for late-summer or fall when quick mite reduction is critical before winter bees are raised; also effective in spring before adding supers.

Directions: Use 1 strip per 5 frames of bees in the brood chamber. Hang strips in the heart of the brood nest. Remove after treatment period; do not exceed 70 days.

Why Use Apivar or Apivar 2.0?

• Safe for bees when used as directed, deadly to varroa mites

• Works in warm or cool conditions — no temperature restrictions

• Proven effectiveness supported by decades of field use and scientific trials

• Fits easily into seasonal treatment plans for both hobbyist and commercial beekeepers

Storage & Shelf Life:
Unopened packs have a 2-year shelf life from manufacture. Store cool, dry, and out of direct sunlight. Once opened, use within 2 weeks.

Important: Always remove honey supers before treatment. When using Apivar 2.0, there is a zero day withholding period for placing honey supers after removing the strips.
When using Apivar Original, you must wait 14 days after strip removal before adding honey supers. Follow label directions for safety and maximum effectiveness.

See our entire collection of Synthetic, Organic, and Physical Varroa Mite Treatments.

Full beekeeping pest control line 

Watch our video for a Step By Step On How To Use Apivar Strips In a Hive; Make Sure You Put Them In The Right Spot.

Watch our video for the comparison of Apivar 2.0 vs the Original

Learn more from our blog: Apivar vs Apivar 2.0: What Is the Difference?