Over the past six months new commercially-made Varroa mite treatments have been registered for use in Canada, including VarroxSanTM, Apivar 2.0®, and Amiflex®. The Maritime beekeeping industry has waited eagerly to learn the availability these products from local and national retailers. Read this week’s blog to learn which products are already on the shelves, and when we can expect to purchase each product locally and nationally.
Update on Newly Registered Varroa Mite Treatments in Canada
These past 6
months have brought options for Varroa mite management in Canada, as the Pesticides
Regulatory Directorate (formerly PMRA) registered three new Varroa mite
treatments: VarroxSanTM, Apivar 2.0®, and Amiflex®. VarroxSanTM,
developed and manufactured by Vita Bee Health Canada Ltd., contains the active
ingredient oxalic acid dihydrate (18.42%) and is administered using strips.
Apivar 2.0®, manufactured by Véto-pharma, contains the
active ingredient amitraz (3.00%) and is a contact acaracide delivered using
plastic strips. Amiflex, also manufactured by Véto-pharma, contains the active ingredient
amitraz (1.99%) and is administered to colonies as a gel. To learn more about
each of these products, review the previous blog posts by ATTTA: “New Varroa
Mite Treatment Product: VarroxSanTM” published on November 13, 2025,
“What Beekeeper's Should Know about Apivar 2.0®”
published on November 27, 2025, and “What Beekeepers Should Know about Amiflex®” published on
January 15, 2026.
The
availability of each of these commercial products differs at both the local and
national levels. To start, of the three products, currently, only VarroxSanTM
is being sold from Maritime beekeeping stores including Country Fields Beekeeping
Supplies (Fall River, NS), Maritime Bee & Agriculture Supplies (Sussex, NB)
and Buzzworks Beekeeping & Apiary Supplies (Moncton, NB). All three have
VarroxSanTM in stock in both 20-strip and 60-strip packs. Golden
Greens Beekeeping Supplies (Onslow, NS) anticipates selling VarroxSanTM
in the near future. Currently, the local beekeeping stores do not have Apivar
2.0® or Amiflex® on their shelves. Apivar 2.0® is expected to be available
locally either late 2026 or in spring 2027, but there is no definite
availability date for the Maritime region yet. Amiflex®, although not currently
on the shelves of these stores, could be purchased locally as Country Fields
Beekeeping Supplies has the ability to bring in bulk orders if requested by
commercial beekeepers.
Although not
all three products are able to be purchased locally this season, beekeepers can
shop outside the region. The national distributors, Bee Maid Bee Supplies and
Dancing Bee Equipment, both have VarroxSanTM, Apivar 2.0®, and
Amiflex® available for purchase. These national stores have VarroxSanTM
in stock in both 20-strip and 60-strip packs. There is an expected shipment of VarroxSanTM
into Canada later this summer, which should provide a consistent supply of the
product throughout the season. For any Maritime beekeepers eager to use Apivar
2.0® or Amiflex®, both are available to ship to the Maritimes this beekeeping
season.
The
registration of VarroxSanTM, Apivar 2.0®, and Amiflex® has provided
the Canadian beekeeping industry with 3 new products, which can be incorporated
within integrated pest management plans. In order to gain familiarity, ATTTA
will be using all three new products this season and be able to answer
beekeepers’ questions. For any questions regarding Varroa mite treatment and management, reach
out to the ATTTA team.
Connecting with ATTTA Specialists
If you’d like to connect with ATTTA specialists or learn more about our program, you can:
visit our website at https://www.perennia.ca/portfolio-items/honey-bees/
Email attta@perennia.ca