Minimal to No Brood Interruption

Continuous Brood Presence: In many parts of Australia, the climate allows for continuous brood rearing throughout the year. This means Varroa mites can reproduce continuously, making it difficult to control their population using treatments only effective during broodless periods.

Efficacy of Oxalic Acid: Oxalic acid is effective against phoretic mites (mites on adult bees) but not against mites under brood cells. Therefore, treatments like Aluen CAP, which provide a slow release of oxalic acid, can help manage mite populations even when brood is present.

Honey Production Without Contamination

Minimization of Residues: Oxalic acid is a compound naturally present in plant nectar and is considered safe for use in organic beekeeping. It does not add residues to honey, making it an ideal option for beekeepers needing to produce contamination-free honey.

Regulatory Approval: Aluen CAP is the only highly effective treatment for Varroa approved for use when honey supers are present. This ensures honey remains contamination-free, which is crucial for maintaining market standards and consumer trust.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Resistance Management: Due to its mechanism of action, it is practically impossible for mites to develop resistance to Aluen CAP. This makes it an extremely useful tool for integrated pest management, eliminating the need to rotate active ingredients. Evidence already shows that in apiaries with more than 10 years of continuous and unique application of Aluen CAP, resistance levels were not affected.

Practical Considerations

Ease of Use: Aluen CAP strips are easy to apply and do not require the removal of honey supers, simplifying the treatment process for beekeepers. This is particularly beneficial in large-scale operations where labor efficiency is critical.

Safety: Aluen CAP is safe for bees, with no reported toxicity even in overdoses.’

Conclusion

Aluen CAP offers a highly effective, safe, and easy-to-use alternative. Its design ensures consistent and controlled application, which is crucial for the health of both bees and beekeepers. The organic certification and absence of residues make it a preferred choice for safe and sustainable beekeeping practices.

Aluen CAP will be crucial for Australian beekeepers due to the continuous presence of brood, the need to produce contamination-free honey, and the role of these treatments in an integrated pest management strategy. These treatments provide an effective, safe, and practical solution for managing Varroa mite populations in a challenging beekeeping environment.