Bayvarol strips are suspended into the spaces between the combs in the central brood-rearing area in such a way that they can be occupied by bees on both sides. Both tabs are bent outwards in the same direction at the marked fold lines and hooked over the top edge of the wooden frame (see Fig. 1).

For large colonies occupying several brood chambers, two strips can be joined together end-to-end which enables their insertion into and removal from the bee spaces without having to separate the brood chambers (see Fig. 2).

Normally developed colonies receive four strips.

Nuclei and young colonies receive half that dose, ie. two strips.

Large colonies occupying several brood chambers receive four strips per chamber, which are distributed over the central bee spaces in each brood chamber.

Best efficacy is to be expected when Bayvarol is used in late summer after the honey harvest. Ideally the strips should not be used during peak honey flow periods. However, Bayvarol can be used at any time of the year for diagnosis or in severe infestations where there is a threat to the survival of the colony.

The strips are inserted into the colony for 24 hours.

Before inserting the strips the floor tray is covered with a clean sheet of paper. This is then checked for the presence of dead Varroa mites 24 hours later.

The strips should be left in the colonies for a maximum of six weeks and then removed.