Keeping Varroa in Check: What Recent Trials Mean for Kiwi Beekeepers

If you work with bees in Aotearoa, you don’t need reminding that Varroa mites are public enemy number one. What you do need are practical, proven ways to keep mite loads down without derailing your season. Recent field updates - shared with us by Beequip NZ at our 2025 Open Day - highlight several tools and trials worth your radar, from classic slow-release systems to ultra-portable vaporisers and new on-hive research kits. According to Oliver Smith, General Manager of Beequip NZ, the focus is squarely on what’s working in the field right now.

BQ Swedish Cloth should be replaced every 8 to 12 weeks

One standout result: the Instant Vap Compact Vaporiser - a commercial ultra-portable vaporiser - achieved a 90% mite reduction over a 77-day trial. For beekeepers who need effective knockdown without over-complicating their workflow, that’s a striking signal that portability and performance can coexist.

Nassenheider’s continuous-evaporation approach also featured in the update, with a field trial run by Mr. Lorne Brough at an apiary in Featherston. For operators who prefer a “set and monitor” modality over repeated visits, it’s an option that continues to earn its keep in local conditions.

Another tool to use is the BQ Swedish Cloth. The trial notes include helpful dating - strips fitted on 17 January 2025, with a follow-up photo captured on 16 May 2025 - giving beekeepers a sense of timing and wear-in period when assessing efficacy across the season.

Oliver shared further context on these treatments: “Nassenheider’s certainly have proven to be one of the most effective treatments late summer, immediately after harvest when levels are high and reinvasion is a big factor. As you can see from the field trials, it was able to bring severe infestations under control. The BQ Swedish Cloth Strips are also showing great promise as a summer treatment with 10 weeks efficacy reported in many cases.”

A theme we’re excited about at Manuka Orchard is the rise of practical, beekeeper-friendly research tools. New Pettis Test Kits are highlighted twice in the update, with an emphasis that signals usability and interest among practitioners. These kits make it simpler to assess mite levels accurately and repeatably, so you’re making decisions based on numbers, not guesswork.

Oliver also underscored the importance of monitoring, not just treatments: “Be vigilant on your monitoring. Without regular monitoring you are really flying blind, often when you can physically see mites, it is a long way down the track and a lot harder to manage compared to when you catch it earlier.”

So what does this all mean for the season ahead? The message is simple: combine the right treatment tool with consistent monitoring. Whether it’s adopting portable options like the InstantVap Compact, using long-release systems such as Nassenheider, or exploring new cloth applications and test kits, the key is vigilance. By acting early and measuring often, Kiwi beekeepers can stay one step ahead of Varroa and safeguard the strength of their hives.

From Logan, "We’re committed to sharing practical insights that help New Zealand beekeepers protect hive health and preserve the quality that defines our honey. Because when Varroa pressure rises, the most powerful tool is informed action."

For more, and for assistance on what your individual requirements might be, get in contact with the Beequip team here