New Biochemical Miticide Is Designed To Combat Varroa Mites In Beehives

varroamiteEPA recently registered a new biochemical miticide that is designed to provide another option for beekeepers to combat the devastating effects of the Varroa mite on honey bee colonies.

Potassium Salts of Hops Beta Acids (K-HBAs), which was developed by Beta Tech Hop Products, is also expected to avoid the development of resistance. Rotating products to combat Varroa mites is an important tactic to prevent resistance development and to maintain the usefulness of individual materials.

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K-HBAs were derived from the cones of female hop plants, Humulus lupulus. To control mites on honey bees, the product is applied inside commercial beehives via plastic strips.

Varroa mites are parasites that feed on developing bees, leading to brood mortality and reduced lifespan of worker bees. They also transmit numerous honeybee viruses. The health of a colony can be critically damaged by an infestation of Varroa mites. Once infested, if left untreated, the colony will likely die.

K-HBAs, like all biopesticides, is a naturally occurring substance with minimal toxicity and a non-toxic mode of action against target pests.

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