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> HOW IT WORKS IN THE COLONY Apivar works by contact: the active ingredient is delivered conti-nuously over time. As bees walk on the strip’s surface they pick up molecules of the active ingredient and then distribute them throughout the colony.

As Apivar works by contact only, it is very important to position the strips in an area of high bee activity, typically in the center of the brood area. This ensures that bees will come in frequent contact with the strips, thereby distributing amitraz throughout the hive. Some practices, such as bee feeding, can increase activity and fur-ther ensure full distribution of the active ingredient.

Amitraz controlled-release technology:

The Apivar expertise

1 2 Plastic polymer strip: specially de-signed to ensure a regular release of amitraz on the surface of the strip after its placement in the hive. The polymer strip was chosen for its rigidity and its abi-lity to continuously release the active ingredient over a mini-mum six-week period.

Amitraz is a sub-lethal miticide that paraly-zes Varroa mites. Varroa cannot keep hol-ding on to the bees and falls to the bottom of the hive, leading to their starvation.

> THE APIVAR STRIP IS A COMBINATION OF TWO COMPONENTS:

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Apivar’s polymer strip was chosen for its rigidity and its ability to continuously release the active ingredientover a minimum six-week period.

The bees distribute amitraz through contact with each other.

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Bees walk on the strips, picking up molecules of amitraz.

The mite population drops and subse-quent mite generations are also killed.

Mites on the bees are exposed to the amitraz which leads to paralysis and starvation.

Amitraz migrates from the inside of the strip to the surface upon contact with bees.

Proven effective for more than 15 years

EFFECTIVENESS PROVEN BY VARIOUS STUDIES IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

> NO EVIDENCE OF RESISTANCE

Prof. Eischen suggests that the fast hydrolysis (degradation) of amitraz in beeswax and honey could prevent the selective pressure of genetically resistant mites, which would explain ami-traz’s effectiveness over time.

Efficacy of Apivar® (amitraz) for Varroa mite control in MarylandPettis J.; VanEngelsdorp D.; October 20th, 2009.

1 MARYLAND – USA (2009)

Controlling Varroa destructor with Apivar® (Véto-Pharma)Frank A. Eischen, R. Henry Graham, Abbey Stilwell, Carl Hayden ; Bee Research Center, USDA-ARS, Tucson, AZ.

Efficacy of Apivar® on the Varroa mite, Varroa destructor, in Alberta CanadaNasr et al, 2012, Canadian Pest Surveillance Branch, Research and Innovation Division, Agriculture and Rural Development.

National Effectiveness Monitoring of the French Federation of Sanitary Beekeeping Organizations ( FNOSAD ) of 2007-2013.

100% 97% 98% 98% 97%97%97% 98%

80%

60%

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2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

TREATMENT AVERAGE EFFICACY % (# MITES BY WASHING 300-400 BEES)

Bayvarol -129.8% ± 182.5

Apistan 39.0% ± 40.7

Checkmite 88.8% ± 15.3

APIVAR 94.7% ± 5.5

4 TUCSON – USA (2014)3 FRANCE (FROM 2007 TO 2013)

2 ALBERTA - CANADA (2011)

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Mean efficacy on more than 100 colonies per year in different apiaries located in different regions of France

Remaining Varroa populations after 6-week treatment

EISCHEN FA, GRAHAM RH (2014). Amitraz Resistance by Varroa destructor in US colonies - Jour. Econ. Entomol

ApivarUntreated control

18.8

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Prior to treatment

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After 6-week treatment

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Safe for bees and for honey

> NO NEGATIVE EFFECT FOR BROOD OR QUEENS

To learn more about Apivar efficacy and safety, visit Apivar.net and download the technical publications.

TOTAL POPULATION BEFORE AND AFTER A SIX-WEEK TREATMENT WITH APIVAR

BEES BROOD

> NO SIGNIFICANT RESIDUES IN HIVE PRODUCTS

Apivar is safe for bees and products hives thanks to the high quality of its components and its controlled-release technology.

This recent study proves that none of the active ingredient, amitraz, was detected in honey, even in colonies treated with 10 times the recommended dosage.

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Apivar® Positive control

Honey spicked with Amitraz 200µg/kg

MRL EMA*200µg/kg

Limit of Amitraz detection

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Amitraz residue transfer into honey from Apis mellifera hives treated with Apivar®

Jeff Pettis, USDA-ARS, Beltsville, MD USA – 2013

*MRL EMA: Maximum Limit of Residues tolerated by the European Medicine Agencyfor amitraz, its residues, and its metabolites in honey for human consumption.

Efficacy of Apivar® (amitraz) for Varroa mite control in MarylandPettis J.; VanEngelsdorp D.; October 20th, 2009.

Simple, safe and effective control of Varroa mites

Product Active ingredient

Average efficacy >90%?

Evidence of resistance?

Residues in honey or beeswax?

Negative effect for brood or queens?

Apiguard Thymol NO NO YES1

Can increase morta-lity rate of brood and bees at temperatures >86°F 2

Apistan Fluvalinate Inconsistent3 YES3 - NO

Checkmite plus Coumaphos Inconsistent4 YES4 YES5 Damages brood

and queen cells2

MAQS Formic acid Inconsistent6 NO NO

Can increase mortality rate of brood, workers and queen at tempe-ratures >86°F 2

APIVAR AMITRAZ YES7 NO3 NO8 NO9

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REFERENCES

1 - BOGDANOV S (2005). Contaminants of bee products. Apidologie 37 (2006) 1–18 http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/apido:2005043

2 - Product label

3 - EISCHEN FA, GRAHAM RH (2014). Amitraz Resistance by Varroa destructor in US colo-nies - Jour. Econ. Entomol

4 - PETTIS J (2004). A scientific note on Varroa destructor resistance to coumaphos in the United States. Apidologie, Springer Verlag (Germany), 35 (1), pp.91-92. <10.1051/ api-do:2003060>. <hal-00891866>

5 - MULLIN CA, FRAZIER M, FRAZIER JL, ASHCRAFT S, SIMONDS R, et al. (2010). High Levels of Miticides and Agrochemicals in North American Apiaries: Implications for Honey Bee Health. PLoS ONE 5(3): e9754. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0009754

6 - OLIVER R (2011). An Early Summer Test of Mite-Away-Quick Strips (tm). http://scientificbeekeeping.com/an-early-summer-test-of-mite-away-quick-strips/

7 - National Effectiveness Monitoring of the French Federation of Sanitary Beekeeping Or-ganizations ( FNOSAD ) of 2007-2013.

8 - PETTIS J (2013). Amitraz residue transfer into honey from Apis mellifera hives treated with Apivar®, USDA-ARS, Beltsville, MD USA – 2013

9 - PETTIS J, VAN ENGELSDORP D (2009), Efficacy of Apivar® (amitraz) for Varroa mite control in Maryland; October 20th, 2009.

Apivar in practice

> APIVAR TREATMENT TIMING RECOMMENDATIONS

Apivar can be used year-round when honey supers are not on the hives, but many beekeepers treat in the spring, be-fore the nectar-collecting period.

The purpose of the spring treatment is to decrease mite populations (and reduce the risk of colony loss) during the nectar-collecting season, thereby maximizing honey yield. The spring treatment must be completed before honey supers are installed. Apivar can also be applied in the fall to reduce mite load in the colony before winter bees are produced. This will maximize the strength of the colony for wintering. Fall treatments should be initiated as soon as ho-ney supers are removed.

The recommended dosage is two strips per deep brood box full of bees, or as shown in the table below. Apivar is most effective when applied at the specified dosage. Do not undertreat.

> INSTALLING APIVAR STRIPS

Installing Apivar in the hive is easy. Just tear open the foil pouch, remove the double rigid strips, and follow these steps:

Reposition the strips for optimum results

If the bee cluster moves away from the strips, reposition the strips into the bee cluster, and leave them in place for 14 more days before removal. Strips must be removed af-ter a maximum of 56 days.

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4

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Remove honey supers before applying Apivar.

Hang each strip between 2 comb frames in the brood area or the bee cluster, with a minimum distance of 2 frames between strips. Suspend Apivar strips in the brood chamber so bees can walk on both sides of the strips.

Leave strips in the hive for 42 days minimum and then remove. DO NOT re-use the strips.

Separate the double rigid strips.

Use the strips die-cut triangle as a hanging hook:

Brood centerBrood edge

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ME

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Notch support between the frame headers

Honey collection=

No treatment

End of winter

Winter

Springtreatment

Falltreatment

Remove Apivar strips2 weeks before

placing honey supers

Start Apivar treatmentas soon as honey

supers are removed

Optimize the power of Apivar by scheduling hive treatments as shown above.

Number of framescovered with bees <5 6-10 11-15 >16

Number of strips 1 2 3 4

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Formulated by beekeeping experts for beekeepers

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Apivar is a product of Véto-pharma, a French pharmaceutical company that develops and markets innovative products to help commercial and hobbyist beekeepers prevent and control hive diseases and infestations. All Véto-pharma products are developed and manufactured in compliance with applicable pharmaceutical standards.

Apivar was first formulated in 1995 and has been ma-nufactured in a dedicated facility operated to the highest standards in pharmaceutical manufacturing. The facility’s processes are dedicated entirely to animal health product manufacturing in compliance with GMP1 standards. The faci-lity is also regularly inspected by the French National Agency for Veterinary Medicinal Products.

Véto-pharma’s manufacturing process is designed to main-tain strict control of raw materials, packaging materials, in-termediates, and finished products. This control is supported by an exhaustive, on-going analysis and testing process, and provides full validation of processes and methods to gua-rantee batch consistency and reproducibility. As a result, beekeepers around the globe can be confident that each Apivar strip is consistent, safe for bees and humans, and meets or exceeds stringent pharmaceutical quality stan-dards.

Véto-pharma is dedicated to developing products that benefit bees and beekeepers. Our passion for bees and the benefits they bring to our world is reflected in our good relationships with beekeepers and beekeepers’ organizations all around the globe. For more information about future Véto-pharma bee and beekeeping products, visit our website at: www.apivar.net

1 The facility operates in accordance with European Union (EU) Good Ma-nufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines for Veterinary Medicinal Products (Directive 91/412/EEC). GMP is a EU standard that is approximately equal to the pharmaceutical manufacturing standards required by the US Food and Drug Administration and the US Environmental Protection Agency.

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> TESTIMONIALS

"I have used Apivar for more than four years and I am very happy with the results. In fact, I have ne-ver found another product that can match Apivar for effectiveness."

Hossein Yeganehrad, Caspian Apiaries, BC, Canada

"We tested 10 hives in two apiaries. An alcohol wash of 300 bees showed an average of 25 to 30 mites before treatment. After a 42-day Apivar treatment, we did another wash that showed an average of only one or two mites. Needless to say, we were impressed with Apivar's efficacy and ease of use."

Ted Jones, Jones’ Apiaries, Farmington, CT

vetopharma.com

THE SAFE STRIP

VÉTO-PHARMA

1450 Broadway, 20th FloorNew York NY 10018, U.S.A.Tel. : 1-212-930-5100Fax : 1-212-930-5119Email: info@vetopharma.com

> TO KNOW MORE ABOUT APIVAR: WWW.APIVAR.NET

> WHERE TO FIND APIVAR ?

BRUSHY MOUNTAIN BEE FARM

610 Bethany Church RoadMoravian Falls, NC 28654

1-800-233-7929

www.brushymountainbeefarm.com

DADANT & SONS, INC.

51 South 2nd StreetHamilton, Illinois 62341

1-888-922-1293

www.dadant.com

MANN LAKE LTD.

501 S. 1st St.Hackensack, Minnesota 56452

1-800-880-7694

www.mannlakeltd.com

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