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The pesticide products listed on this page are registered by EPA at the federal level for use against Varroa mites. Rotating products to combat Varroa mites is an important tactic to prevent resistance development and to maintain the usefulness of individual pesticides. Beekeepers are encouraged to check with their state pesticide regulatory agencies to determine the regulatory status of the products in the individual states.

A new mutation (F290L) in the Octβ2R of V. destructor has been found in mites from Spanish apiaries. The frequency of L290 mutated alleles in colonies increased after consecutive treatments with amitraz. In a field trial, mites from colonies with higher frequency of L290 mutated allele took longer to die compared with those carrying a higher proportion of the wild-type allele. Lower susceptibility to amitraz was found in apiaries with a high frequency of homozygous mutants.

USDA research lab bee excursion
Monday, July 21
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Veterinarians are vital to the apiculture (beekeeping) industry—particularly when it comes to recognizing, diagnosing, and treating bee bacterial diseases. Join us for a special all-day experience with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in-house research agency.

CE credits: 5.0

Smithsonian National Zoo bird excursion
Friday, July 18
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Take part in this interactive experience at one of the oldest zoos in the United States. Learn about the challenges that climate change poses to birds, explore the National Zoo's newest bird house, get an update on avian influenza, and more.

CE credits: 5.0

Former HBVC President, Samantha Alger's team recently studied a screening tool developed by scientists at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro that tests colonies for hygienic behavior by mimicking the pheromones emitted by sick or dying bees. The researchers found the UBeeO test can identify colonies resistant to several pests and pathogens that can decimate bee populations, such as Vairimorpha (known to many beekeepers as Nosema) and fungal infections including chalkbrood.

Survey Reveals Over 1.1 Million Honey Bee Colonies Lost, Raising Alarm for Pollination and Agriculture

How veterinarians can extend their expertise to help heal the environment