Apilife Var Bee-Hive Strip for Honey Bees
Camphor Racemic, Eucalyptus Oil, Menthol Levo, Thymol
Last verified
Veterinary medicinal product: bee-hive strip. Distribution category: AVM-GSL (Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, Schedule 3). Active substance: Camphor Racemic, Eucalyptus Oil, Menthol Levo, Thymol.1
- Dispensing
- Over the counter1
AVM-GSL: Authorised Veterinary Medicine - General Sale List. No prescription is needed and it may be sold by any retailer.12
Supplied without a prescription. As stated in the registration decision.
- Animal species
- Honey bees1
- Active substance
- Camphor Racemic, Eucalyptus Oil, Menthol Levo, Thymol
- ATCvet code
- QP53AX303
- Manufacturer
- Marketing authorisation holder: Chemicals Laif S.P.A
Withdrawal period
| Animal species | Product | days |
|---|---|---|
| Honey bees | honey | 03 |
Summary of product characteristics
Composition
Each bee-hive strip contains:
Active substances:
Thymol 8.00 g
Eucalyptus oil 1.72 g
Camphor, racemic 0.39 g
Levomenthol 0.39 g
Excipients:
Qualitative composition of excipients and other constituents
Foamed phenolic resin
Green foam sponge (foamed phenolic resin), approximately 7.5 x 5.0 x 0.5 cm, impregnated with essential oils.
Pharmacological properties
4.1 ATCvet code: QP53AX30
4.2 Pharmacodynamics
The veterinary medicinal product is composed of a mixture of essential oils (thymol, camphor, menthol and eucalyptol), of which the main component is thymol. This mixture of essential oils sublimate inside the air volume of the treated beehive, according to the temperature. This mixture of vapors is released inside the beehive.
Their exact mode of action is not understood. Almost certainly, they act directly on the mites through inhalation and contact. This results in the mites coming off the bees.
4.3 Pharmacokinetics
The pharmacokinetics of the active substances of the veterinary medicinal product in bees are not known.
Target species
Honey bees (Apis mellifera).
Indications
Treatment of varroosis of the honey bees caused by Varroa destructor.
Dosage
In hive use, the product must be used as follows:
Dosage: 1 strip every 7 days for each beehive, complete treatment 4 strips for each beehive.
The treatment should be done once per year.
Application: to perform the treatment take one strip from the sachet and place it in one of the four corners above the honeycombs, far away from the brood placed in the center of the beehive. Close the beehive and let the veterinary medicinal product work for 7 days.
The strip can also be used by cutting it into 3-4 pieces to be placed in the corners of the beehive (see Figures 1;2;3;4). Repeat the treatment for 4 consecutive times. At the end of the treatment, the pieces of strips still present must be removed.
It is not recommended to use the veterinary medicinal product in multiple storey hives as unsatisfactory efficacy might be expected.
| Fig. 1 | Fig. 2 | Fig. 3 | Fig. 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open the proper bag that contains the two strips. | Take one of the two strips and break it into 3-4 parts. | Open the hive and set the single pieces of the strip to the corners on the lath holding the comb. | Close the hive and let the veterinary medicinal product act for 7 days. Repeat the explained treatment for 4 times with the other strips and remove the possible pieces of strip at the end of the treatment. |
Contraindications
Do not use during honey flow in order to avoid tainting the taste of the honey. Do not use when maximum daytime temperature is above 30°C.
Adverse reactions
Honey bees
| Frequency | Adverse events |
|---|---|
| Undetermined frequency (cannot be estimated from the available data): | Behavioural disorder 1; Agitation 2; Reduced food intake 3 |
1 Bees may remove food from directly under the strip.
2 The colony may become slightly agitated during treatment.
3 There may be reduced acceptance of the food if feeding at the same time as treatment.
Reporting adverse events is important. It allows continuous safety monitoring of a veterinary medicinal product. Reports should be sent, preferably via a veterinarian, to either the marketing authorisation holder or its local representative or the national competent authority via the national reporting system. See the package leaflet for respective contact details.
Warnings
Special precautions for safe use in the target species:
Treatment at temperatures above of 30°C lead to increased stress and mortality of adult bees and brood. Do the treatments without supers. Do not perform during honey flow but after the relative honey harvest. All colonies in the same apiary should be treated simultaneously to avoid robbery.
Avoid disturbance to the hive. Do not place the strip in the centre of the beehive or near the brood.
Never place strips near a sugar feeder as this may reduce feeding.
It is not recommended to treat hives in cold weather.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals
People with known hypersensitivity to thymol should administer the veterinary medicinal product with caution.
This veterinary medicinal product may cause skin and eye irritation, therefore direct skin and eye contact should be avoided.
Personal protective equipment consisting of impermeable gloves and usual protection equipment should be worn when handling the veterinary medicinal product.
After application, wash hands and the material being in contact with the strip with soap and water.
In case of accidental skin contact, wash thoroughly the affected area with soap and water.
In case of accidental eye contact, wash the eyes thoroughly with copious amounts of clean running water, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician.
Do not inhale.
Special precautions for the protection of the environment:
Refer to section 5.5 (special precautions for disposal).
3.11 Special restrictions for use and special conditions for use, including restrictions on the use of antimicrobial and antiparasitic veterinary medicinal products in order to limit the risk of development of resistance
Not applicable.
Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay
Not applicable.
Interactions
Do not use simultaneously with other acaricides.
Overdose
In the case of an overdose of too many strips, bees can be disturbed, showing increased stress and a change in behaviour. They exit the beehive and remain outside. If dead bees and grubs are found, remove excess strips.
Special warnings
For maximum efficacy use the veterinary medicinal product in late summer after the honey harvest, when the amount of bee brood present is diminishing. The ideal outside temperature for a good effectiveness of the veterinary medicinal product during the treatment ranges between 20-25ºC.
Insufficient efficacy can be expected if the average outside temperature is lower than 15°C.
Integrated Pest Management
The efficacy may vary between colonies due to the surrounding conditions (environmental factors connected to the place and climate conditions, temperature, genetic and infestation level, reinfestation, bee population, strength of the colon, brood area and bee mortality, etc.). The veterinary medicinal product should therefore be used as a treatment amongst others within an Integrated Pest Management program, and mite drop regularly monitored. Colonies with an average mite drop of more than 1 mite per day two weeks right after the last treatment have to be subjected to an additional winter or spring treatment for varroa (preferably with another active ingredient).
Withdrawal period
Honey: Zero days.
Do not use during honey flow in order to avoid to adulterate the taste of the honey.
Incompatibilities
Not applicable.
Immediate packaging
Sachets formed of a polyester/paper-polyethylene/aluminum/polypropylene laminate.
Pack size:
Sachet containing 2 strips.
Storage
Store below 25°C.
Do not refrigerate or freeze.
Protect from direct sunlight.
Protect from frost.
Store in the original package.
Shelf life
Shelf life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale: 2 years.
Shelf life after first opening the immediate packaging: use immediately.
Disposal of unused product
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste.
The veterinary medicinal product should not enter water courses as thymol, eucalyptus oil, camphor and levomenthol may be dangerous for fish and other aquatic organisms.
Use take-back schemes for the disposal of any unused veterinary medicinal product or waste materials derived thereof in accordance with local requirements and with any national collection systems applicable to the veterinary medicinal product concerned.
Additional information
Vm 23101/4000
8 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION
24 June 2009
9 DATE OF THE LAST REVISION OF THE SUMMARY OF THE PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS
May 2026
10 CLASSIFICATION OF VETERINARY MEDICINAL PRODUCT
Veterinary medicinal product not subject to prescription.
Find more product information by searching for the ‘Product Information Database’ on www.gov.uk.
Approved: 10 June 2026
Registration holder
Chemicals Laif S.P.A
Regulations
- Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013 (SI 2013/2033), Schedule 32