FAQ

The Varroa Controller takes advantage that the mite tolerates less heat than the bee pupae. Both are locked in the capped brood cell. By taking out the frames with capped brood cells and exposing them to the correct temperature for the correct time, the mite dies within 20 hours.

Bcause the mite is more sensitive to heat than the bee pupae. This fact is known for a long time.

In spring, more than 80% of the mites are located in the capped brood cells. This is why the Varroa Controller heats up only the capped brood frames to kill the mite.

All mites locked in the brood cells are killed during the heat treatment with the Varroa Controller.

We know the efficacy of the treatment since the Varroa Controller has been tested since more than 10 years from us and our clients. The device was also tested by the beekeeping research institute of the Bavarian Landesanstalt für Weinbau und Gartenbau in Veitshöchheim/Germany, and it was approved with an efficacy of 97%! Also the Belgian beekeeping institute CARI approves an efficacy of more than 95% (Actu API 2012/3).

The heat treatment with the Varroa Controller is attacking the mite at the location where it reproduces, meaning that the mite is targeted before it becomes dangerous to the hive.

If the heat treatment runs with correct parameters regarding temperature, timing and humidification, the heat treatment is not harming the brood. In case there would be not enough humidity, the brood cells would dry out. As such, the Varroa Controller measures humidity and temperature at any time, ensuring correct parameters throughout the treatment.

Both types are killed.

No, this is not possible.

In spring, when there are few frames with capped brood cells, you take out these frames, brush off the bees and place the frames in the Varroa Controller. The treatment as such runs fully automatic. You do not need to be present during the treatment to check the temperature or humidification.

Yes, during the treatment, warm air circulates and warms up the brood frames. Next to warm air, humidity is required for a successful treatment.

The best time is a.) in spring to eliminate the mites from the hive long before they can be a danger to the hive, b.) when creating new colonies, using heat treated brood frames to allow a perfect start for the new colony c.) in summer at the time of the honey harvest and after applying the Duplex-Framebox d.) in autumn for the last, but still very important treatment to reduce the mite population for safe overwintering.

The Varroa Controller is equipped with very precise sensors measuring the temperature and the humidity at any time during the treatment. These precise sensors make sure that the heat treatment is successful, and that no brood cells are drying out.

About half of our clients are using the Varroa Controller with a small generator. Any generator that permanently produces 800W is sufficient.

Yes, the Bavarian State Institute for Viticulture and Horticulture, Bee Research Center, Veitshöchheim, Germany—see Dr. Berg’s article “Hyperthermia—The Principle Works,” Deutsches Bienenjournal 01/2017. In this regard, the Belgian Bee Institute CARI attributes an efficacy of over 95% to the Varroa Controller (Actu API 2012/3)

It is recommended the open the hive to get the brood frames only if there is an outside temperature of 18°C. When it is very hot (above 33°C), one should not perform a heat treatment.

If the device is shared with other beekeepers, it is recommended to disinfect the Varroa Controller after handing the machine to another beekeeper.

Depending on your Varroa Controller model, you can treat the brood frames of 20 hives in one round. For 200 hives, two or three devices are thus recommended.

Please consider the costs of a dead colony in spring, losing all your bees, the queen, the wax, the time needed to clean and disinfect the hive, they honey you cannot harvest, etc. The price of one Varroa Controller is equivalent to about 7-10 hives you would need to purchase again in spring.
If you have only a few colonies, you may want to find a beekeeper in your neighborhood and to share the device. Especially for beekeepers with few hives, the Varroa Controller Light is suitable.

Yes, we have many clients in different countries who rent their device. Please check Contact for rental services in your region.