Honeybees (Apis mellifera) are a cornerstone of sustaining life on planet Earth.  Their tireless activity throughout the year ensures that plants are pollinated and therefore able to reproduce and sustain themselves. The work that these irreplaceable natures helpers do often goes un-noticed and under-appreciated, but is essential in allowing humans to survive.  

There are approximately 280,000 honeybee hives in the UK. Kept on varying scales from one or two hives in a back garden to large commercial bee farms who may spend the year moving hives between different areas to collect pollen from different plants in order to create different types of honey.  

Whether passion for beekeeping comes as part of a hobby, running a cottage industry making local artisan honey and bees wax products, or large commercial scale bee farming, maintaining the health of your bees is key to success. Healthy hives, are ultimately productive hives. Of all the challenges faced by beekeepers, who manage the 14 billion honeybees in the UK, the varroa mite (Varroa destructor) is one of the biggest issues. An invasive pest, since its introduction to the UK in the early 1990’s it is now widespread in hives across the UK. A parasite of honeybees, their feeding weakens bees leaving a bee colony less able to look after itself and more prone to impacts of disease and predation.  Andermatt are a global leader in the development and manufacturing of Varroa mite treatments with our global varroa control brands including; Thymovar (containing thymol), Oxuvar (containing oxalic acid) and Formivar (containing formic acid).     

With honeybees kept primarily to produce honey, a food for us to eat, honeybees are considered by the UK authorities to be livestock. Activities relating to honeybee management are tightly controlled and monitored. Treatment products which are applied to honeybee colonies are regulated in the UK by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). Requiring demonstration of performance efficacy and safety to both the bees they are treating and the human user, bee health treatments require significant investment in both initial and ongoing registration support. Andermatt have a number of veterinary medicines approved for use on bees; primarily for the control of Varroa mite.  

Oxuvar

Oxuvar 5.7%: VMD approval number 36234/4001. A liquid varroa treatment based on oxalic acid. Able to use used to treat bee colonies mixed with water as a spray on brood-less colonies, for example in early spring or when moving swarms, or with sugar as a winter trickle treatment around Christmas time. 

Thymovar

VMD approval number 36234/4000. A thymol containing convenient wafer. Providing a long treatment window for maximum efficacy, the unique foam wafer holds crystalline thymol to provide a more gradual release of thymol into the hive for minimal disruption to the bees.  

In addition to the bee health products manufactured by Andermatt, we also operate a VMD approved wholesale dealer site (WDA5296) at our Sussex base. This allows us to both import veterinary medicines and also further distribute to sellers within the UK market. Our VMD Wholesale Dealer Authorisation (WDA) allows us to locally support the supply chain for Andermatt products, but also work with third party partners to support their products in the UK market.   

Where can I buy bee health products? 

The complete range of Andermatt Bee Health products can be purchased directly from us on our retail website www.andermattgarden.co.uk. Click here to buy our products with next day delivery. 

How can I find out more about Varroa management? 

When it comes to treating for Varroa mite, understanding the pest and how it is affecting your bees within your hive is essential. You can find out more about Varroa destructor here (LINK to Varroa destructor overview content page). You can also discover more about how and when Varroa treatments may be needed here (LINK TO When to use varroa treatment page Content page) and the range of varroa management products that Andermatt offer for year-round varroa control (LINK TO Bee health season long program content page) Andermatt offer to fit within you honeybee management program.   

How can my local BBKA group buy products? 

As well as attending the annual BBKA Spring Convention, we also work with local groups to either stock or supply our products to their members.  

Can we stock Andermatt products?  

If you are interested in stocking our bee health products please contact us at contact@andermattuk.com.