Apiguard - 1 packet - 10 pieces

Apiguard is a natural treatment against Varroa Destructor mites. It is also effective against chalkbrood in honey bees.

Apiguard is a sophisticated, patented slow-release gel that ensures the correct dosage of its active ingredient, Thymol. Thymol is a natural substance found in plants (thyme), as well as in honey. It is also used in cosmetics and for the production of medicines (it dilates blood vessels).

Apiguard has no harmful effects on bees, wax, and brood.

How Apiguard works:

After opening the tray, the gel slowly begins to evaporate. When the gel evaporates from the tray, it doesn't mean the medicine is no longer effective. It is precisely at this point that the medication has spread evenly throughout the hive. Since Apiguard evaporates more slowly than other medications, it doesn't act very aggressively on the bees and therefore doesn't disrupt the bees' work.

Worker bees try to remove the gel from the hive, and in doing so, Apiguard attaches to the fine hairs on the bee's body, allowing the bees to distribute it throughout the hive. Even after the gel has been removed from the tray, its effectiveness continues even after removing the tray from the hive.

Usage:

1. Place the opened tray on the brood frames - lid facing upward (do not remove the aluminum lid from the tray, as part of the gel is on it).
2. After 10 days, check the amount of gel in the tray. If the tray is empty, replace it with a second tray. But if after ten days there is still gel in the tray, leave the first tray in the hive until day 14, then remove it from the hive and replace it with the second tray.
3. Leave the second tray in the hive for 2 to 4 weeks and then remove it from the hive. The total treatment period therefore lasts 4 to 6 weeks.

Apiguard works best at temperatures above 15°C. But it can also be used at lower temperatures; the gel evaporates more slowly, which extends the treatment period, which is not very suitable.

Six reasons to use Apiguard:

Natural product (contains Thymol)
High effectiveness against three types of pests:
Varroa Destructor (mite)
Acarapis Wood (tracheal mite)
and against the parasitic fungus Ascosphaera apis (causes chalkbrood in honey bee larvae)
Effective against Varroa mites that are resistant to pyrethroids

Withdrawal period - 0 days

No risk to users (no traces in honey and wax)

When to use the product:

Apiguard can be used in summer, if possible right after harvesting (extracting) honey, when the average daily temperature will be around 15°C. Bees are more active in warmer weather, which helps spread the Apiguard medication throughout the colony. If the colony needs to be fed, start the treatment a few days earlier so that the preparation can work even before that.

Practical tips and observations:

Make sure that worker bees have access to the tray. In some hives, space must be created above the tray, for example by using a super, lid, feeder, or empty honey super.

- leave the tray in the hive until the entire volume of gel dissolves
- monitor changes in the colony, sometimes additional treatment outside the season is necessary
- after starting treatment, the colony may be temporarily restless but it's nothing serious
- during treatment, you may occasionally smell the characteristic thymol odor

Undesirable side effects: mild irritation of the colony after starting treatment, which lasts for several days

FAQ about Apiguard

How to ensure bees have access to Apiguard For bees to effectively use Apiguard, "worker bees" must have free access to the tray. In some hives, it is necessary to create space above the tray, for example by using a super or turning the top cover of the hive. Leave the tray in the hive until the gel is completely dissolved, and monitor changes in the colony. Occasionally, additional treatment outside the season is needed.

Symptoms of Apiguard treatment after starting treatment, the colony may temporarily show signs of irritation, which is a common but transient reaction to thymol, the main active ingredient of Apiguard. The characteristic smell of this substance will be present during the treatment process.

The ideal period for Apiguard application is appropriate to use in summer, ideally after the honey flow, when average temperatures reach around 15°C. Warmer weather promotes bee activity, which improves the distribution of gel in the hive. If the colony needs feeding, apply the treatment a few days before, so thymol has time to work.

How to apply Apiguard? If using smaller packaging with trays, remove the protective foil and place the tray with gel on the brood frames. After two weeks, replace the tray with a new one and leave it in the hive for 2 to 4 weeks. For application from larger packaging with 3 kg of gel, use a scoop and dose 50 g into the tray supplied with the product. Repeat the procedure every two weeks with a total treatment length of 6 weeks.

The right time for application of Apiguard is anytime during the day, but ideally in the evening or after sunset, when the bees are in the hive. Lower temperatures in the evening ensure slower release of the vaporizing gel, which makes it easier for bees to get used to thymol vapors.

Can it be used on multiple brood chambers? Yes, Apiguard can be used on one and a half or two brood chambers, but the effect may be slightly lower, because a larger number of bees need treatment. Place the gel on the frames in the lower brood chamber, and install the upper brood chamber above the gel.

When not to use Apiguard? Apiguard should not be used during the honey flow to avoid compromising the taste of honey. It is suitable to perform the treatment when temperatures do not fall below 15°C and when there is no expected significant growth phase of new brood in the colony.

Application specifics and conditions At temperatures above 25°C, apply smaller doses, and the bottom of the hive should be closed during application to prevent the escape of heavy vaporizing fumes. If bees form "clusters" in front of the hive, it may be a temporary reaction to new conditions.

Treatment of weaker colonies For small colonies, reduced dosing of 25 g of gel is recommended to avoid stress or brood infection. If brood removal is observed, remove Apiguard.

Storing Apiguard Keep the gel away from direct sunlight and at temperatures below 30°C. Overheating can change the consistency of the gel and reduce its effectiveness. Follow storage instructions during transportation as well.

Instructions for using Apiguard.

Apiguard is a natural treatment against Varroa Destructor mites. It is also effective against tracheal mites and chalkbrood in honey bee larvae.