The primary mechanism of action for Amitraz-impregnated plastic strips is physical contact. Unlike volatile acids that fumigate the hive, these strips rely on worker bees brushing against the plastic surface to pick up the active ingredient. Once carried by a few bees, the miticide is rapidly distributed throughout the rest of the colony via natural social interactions, specifically physical friction and trophallaxis (food sharing).
The efficacy of Amitraz strips relies not on evaporation, but on the colony’s own social network. By utilizing the bees as vectors, the strips provide a stable, continuous release of miticide that kills surface-attached Varroa mites without the stress of aerosol sprays.
The Mechanics of Distribution
Contact-Based Transfer
The plastic strips act as a slow-release reservoir for Amitraz. They do not release a gas or vapor into the hive air to kill mites.
Instead, the active ingredient sits on the surface of the strip. When a worker bee moves across the strip, a specific dose of the chemical transfers directly onto the bee’s body.
Leveraging Social Behavior
The effectiveness of this method depends entirely on the movement and interaction of the bees.
Through physical friction (bees rubbing against each other) and trophallaxis, the Amitraz is passed from the bees that touched the strip to the rest of the population. This ensures the medication reaches bees that may never have come into direct contact with the strip itself.
Why Slow-Release Is Critical
Covering Reproductive Cycles
Varroa mites have specific reproductive cycles that can outlast a single chemical treatment.
By releasing the active ingredient at a stable rate over several weeks, the strips ensure that a lethal concentration of Amitraz is present long enough to kill mites that were safe inside brood cells during the initial application. This creates a standardized environment that reduces the mite population density over time.
Reducing Vector Transmission
The ultimate goal of this mechanism is to lower the density of Varroa destructor, which acts as a vector for diseases like Deformed Wing Virus (DWV).
By maintaining constant contact pressure on the mite population, the strips indirectly lower the viral load within the colony. This is particularly vital for protecting wintering bees, whose physical constitution is essential for the colony's survival through the cold months.
Understanding the Trade-offs
Dependence on Placement and Movement
Because Amitraz strips are contact-based, their placement is critical. They must be located in the center of the bee cluster where traffic is highest.
If the strips are placed peripherally, or if cold weather restricts bee movement, the distribution mechanism fails. The active ingredient will not spread effectively if the bees are not actively circulating around the strips.
Surface vs. Penetration Limits
It is important to distinguish Amitraz from volatile treatments like Formic Acid.
Formic Acid utilizes high volatility to penetrate capped brood cells and kill mites hiding inside. Amitraz strips, being contact-based, primarily target mites attached to adult bees on the surface. They rely on the long duration of treatment to catch mites as they emerge from the brood, rather than killing them while they are still capped.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
To select the most effective treatment strategy, you must align the mechanism of action with your specific colony conditions.
- If your primary focus is long-term population suppression: Use Amitraz strips during active periods to cover multiple mite reproductive cycles and protect winter bee physiology.
- If your primary focus is penetrating capped brood: Recognize that Amitraz is a surface contact agent; you may need to consider volatile options like Formic Acid if deep brood infestation is the immediate crisis.
- If your primary focus is minimizing colony stress: Choose Amitraz strips to avoid the disruption and potential toxicity associated with spraying liquid acaricides directly onto the colony.
By understanding that these strips use the bees themselves as the delivery system, you can optimize placement to ensure maximum coverage and colony health.
Summary Table:
| Feature | Amitraz Plastic Strips | Volatile Treatments (e.g., Formic Acid) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Mechanism | Physical Contact & Social Transfer | Evaporation & Fumigation |
| Delivery Method | Slow-release Reservoir | Vapor/Gas Phase |
| Target Area | Surface-attached Mites | Surface & Capped Brood |
| Optimal Placement | Center of Bee Cluster (High Traffic) | Hive Top or Mid-range |
| Key Benefit | Stable, Long-term Suppression | Rapid Knockdown & Brood Penetration |
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References
- Piotr Semkiw, Krystyna Pohorecka. The Amitraz Strips Efficacy in Control of Varroa Destructor After Many Years Application of Amitraz in Apiaries. DOI: 10.2478/jas-2013-0012
This article is also based on technical information from HonestBee Knowledge Base .
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