by Phil Craft Pesticides are described as a substance used to kill, or control, an insect or pest that causes damage to animals or crop, or people. I make use of a pesticide to keep mosquitoes at bay on my patio in the summer. A miticide is a more specific pesticide that is used to control mites. Veto-pharma manufactures two miticides used by beekeepers to control varroa mites, Apivar and Amiflex. Both products contain the active ingredient amitraz, though the way these products deliver amitraz to mites differ.
In the United States all pesticides are registered for use by the United States Environment Protection Agency (EPA). Any pesticide approved for use generally must show the pesticide: will not harm other non-targeted animals or the environment – such as runoff into bodies of water, will not harm the person applying the pesticide, will be effective against the targeted pest, and may require the applicator to wear protective equipment such as gloves, skin or eye protection. This registration also sets standards for how the pesticide is applied, amount applied, and approval for the label on the product packaging, including directions for use of the products. This registration must meet federal requirements, but also approval in individual states, typically under the jurisdiction of state pesticides regulatory departments.
Most registered pesticides may be sold without restriction by dealers, or applicators. Meaning that a beekeeper can just walk into a beekeeping supply company and purchase most miticide products without any restrictions. However, sellers and dealers must meet federal requirements and be certified according to state law in each state where they sell pesticides. Certification and licensing functions are thus administered by your state and defined by state law, as are pesticide products sales. However, some pesticides are classified and registered as Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs). Special restrictions are placed on the sale and application of this type of pesticide, and sellers, purchasers, and applicators must be licensed. This licensing is also under the control of state agencies where the restricted use pesticide is sold. Veto-pharma’s new miticide Amiflex is currently registered as a Restricted Use Pesticide and a RUP license for the beekeeper using it is required for its purchase and use.
So how does one acquire a Restricted Use Pesticide license? It is easy. In the state where you will purchase and apply the RUP, contact your state apiarist, or local/state bee inspector and ask them how to go about obtaining a RUP applicator’s license.
There are different levels of RUP applicators licenses depending on whether the beekeeper is going to apply Amiflex only his own hives, or someone else’s hives. The simplest, often the easiest license, to acquire is if the beekeeper is only going to apply Amiflex to their own hives.
In Kentucky this license is free and only requires reading study materials and taking a simple test which has no minimum passing score. Though requirements will vary in different states, and there may be a small fee – about $25. But check with your state licensing agency or bee inspector. Or again, contact me and tell me where you live.
by Véto-Pharma The contents of this page are intended for the American public. The instructions for use of the miticites mentioned comply with US regulations. We have already introduced you to our
by Véto-Pharma The contents of this page are intended for the American public. The instructions for use of the miticites mentioned comply with US regulations. Latest update (as of July 28): We are
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