Overview and instructions

Better-B Varroa Tool

The Varroa Tool is designed to help beekeepers across Europe choose the most effective local treatments for Varroa mite infestations, while also promoting strategies that reduce the risk of resistance developing in the area.

  • The recommendations provided regarding commercially available medicinal products are based on the temperature guidelines stated in each product’s official leaflet. Our guidance aims to assist in selecting appropriate treatments according to environmental conditions, but it does not replace professional veterinary advice. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and consult with a qualified veterinarian before administering any medicinal products
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Overview

The Varroa Tool works by matching local temperature data with the recommended temperature ranges for each treatment, as specified in official product information (sourced from the EMA veterinary medicines database). It uses a climate model based on data from the WorldClim dataset, which provides monthly average minimum and maximum temperatures over a 30-year period (1970–2000).

The tool maps two main types of treatments:

  • Organic Compounds: These are low-impact, environmentally friendly treatments (e.g., thymol, or oxalic acid-based). Their effectiveness against varroa and their toxicity for honey bees depends on temperature, as it influences the evaporation of the active ingredient.
  • Conventional Compounds:These treatments are not temperature-dependent, assuming uniform effectiveness across all regions within each country in which the product is registered.

By combining climate data with treatment proper indications, the Varroa Tool offers a clear, practical way for beekeepers to make informed decisions tailored to their specific location with a sustainable, low-stress beekeeping approach.

How to use the Varroa Tool

The Varroa Tool makes it easy to find the best treatments for Varroa mite infestations in your specific area, prioritizing organic treatments.

Here's how it works:

  1. Find your location: Use the search bar (top left) to enter an address or zoom in manually on the map to your area of interest in which your apiary is located.
  2. Customize the map View: Choose the map background that works best for you—road map, satellite view, or topographic map—depending on your needs.
  3. Click to see the available products to adopt, according to the time of the year that you selected for your treatment. Click anywhere on the map. A pop-up window will appear showing the list of available treatments for that location.
  4. Explore treatment options
    • At the top of the pop-up, a brown strip shows the number of treatments available.
    • Use the black arrow to scroll through the list.
    • Each treatment includes key information:
      • Active ingredient
      • Commercial name
      • Recommended treatment period
      • Type of treatment: organic or conventional

Better-B has received funding from the European Union, the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) under the UK government's Horizon Europe funding guarantee (grant number 10068544).

Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union, European Research Executive Agency (REA), SERI or UKRI. Neither the European Union nor the granting authorities can be held responsible for them.

© 2023 Better-B Project
Created by SCIPROM