EPA Issues Advisory On Pesticides By Beekeepers To Control Varroa Mite

DR. RIC BESSIN

 LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY

Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an advisory to clarify what pesticide products and active ingredients are registered to control Varroa mites (Varroa destructor) in beehives and how it views the use of unregistered products to treat beehives. Additionally, EPA stressed that it remains committed to collaborating with and supporting the beekeeping community. It is providing an update on those efforts, which includes registering new tools for managing beehive pests and working with federal and local partners to advance valuable research.

 The EPA stated that it recently learned that beekeepers may be using products containing pesticide active ingredients (e.g., oxalic acid, formic acid, amitraz, and thymol) that are not registered to control Varroa mites in bee colonies. In the advisory, EPA continues to affirm that (1) the use of registered pesticides must comply with labeling requirements under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), (2) that pesticide residues in or on food derived from beehives (e.g., honey, comb, wax, propolis, royal jelly, pollen) must comply with any federal tolerances under FFDCA, (3) that use of unregistered pesticides to control varroa mites cannot extend beyond personal use, and (4) that there may be more restrictive state requirements that must also be followed. EPA remains committed to supporting states with primary enforcement authority to ensure compliance with FIFRA requirements.  It is a violation of FIFRA to use registered pesticides in a manner that is not in accordance with label instructions.

 Currently, EPA has registered 16 pesticide products covering about 10 active ingredients that can be used on beehives to control Varroa mites. Recently, EPA has registered two new Varroa mite control products (i.e., Varroxsan and Ex-Ox tablets) containing oxalic acid as the active ingredient. Each product allows for easier application of oxalic acid, and in the case of Varroxsan, a slower release and longer acting application of oxalic acid in the honey bee colony. EPA stated it will continue to prioritize the registration of pesticides that target Varroa mites and continue to provide helpful information about these products.

EPA considers any application of an unregistered pesticide for other than personal use (e.g., application of an unregistered pesticide to another person’s property) to be distribution of an unregistered pesticide and a violation of FIFRA. Personal use would not likely include activities that involve any operation in commerce, such as selling or distribution of bees/colonies, pollination services, queens, honey, comb, wax, propolis, royal jelly, or pollen. An individual raising bees as a hobby and personally consuming whatever honey is harvested might be considered “own personal use.” But as described above, an individual beekeeper cannot sell or distribute (which includes transportation) any unregistered pesticide and cannot sell or distribute any adulterated honey or other edible beehive products.

For more information on the EPA advisory, visit their website for a copy of the advisory and additional information on the currently registered pesticide products for controlling Varroa mites in beehives. ∆

DR. RIC BESSIN: University of Kentucky