Varroxsan 60 Pack

What it is

Varroxsan is an oxalic acid dihydrate strip treatment from Vita Bee Health, a UK company distributed in 60+ countries. The 60-pack covers a serious operation — up to roughly 15 colonies depending on hive size, since the label calls for one strip per 2.5 brood frames of bees.

What makes it distinct

Traditional oxalic acid treatment (sublimation or dribble) needs to hit during a broodless window because the acid only kills mites on exposed adult bees, not under capped brood. Varroxsan's slow-release strip design changes that — the strips stay in the hive for 42 to 56 days continuous, so mites emerging from capped brood throughout the treatment window get exposed.

Temperature independence

Unlike thymol-based treatments (which need 60°F+ to work well) or formic acid (which has heat-spike ceilings), Varroxsan is not temperature-dependent. You can run it year-round. That makes it a useful tool for Arkansas winters, spring splits, and any scenario where you'd otherwise be waiting for a specific temperature window to open.

Efficacy

Independent trial data published by Vita shows an average efficacy of 96.8% across a range of conditions. Like any treatment, monitor mite counts before and after to confirm it worked in your specific apiary — and rotate treatments across the year to slow resistance development.

Usage notes

Place strips per label: one strip per 2.5 brood frames of bees, suspended between frames in the brood nest. Strips stay in the hive for the full 42–56 day window. Where registered, Varroxsan may be used with honey supers on during a flow — check your state's registration status and the current label before applying during harvest.