ND Department of Agriculture Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 6, 2009

EPA OKAYS PESTICIDE TO PROTECT BEES FROM PARASITES

BISMARCK – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued a Section 18 exemption for Hivastan®, allowing North Dakota beekeepers to use the insecticide to control varroa mites.

Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said the exemption for Hivastan is needed because varroa mites have developed resistance to many available insecticides.

Varroa mites (Varroa jacobsoni) are an external parasite that feed on the blood of adult bees, larvae, and pupae. They also are known to transmit a number of disease pathogens to bees. First found in the United States in 1992, varroa mites have become a serious threat to the beekeeping industry.

The exemption for Hivastan allows two treatments of 8 ounces per year per colony. The use directions prohibit use inside hives during honey flow. No treatments can be made after September 30, 2009.

Applicators must follow all directions, restrictions and precautions on the Section 18 use directions and have a copy of the directions in their possession during application.

Hivastan is an unregistered pesticide containing the active ingredient fenpyroximate.  It is manufactured by Wellmark International, which supported the exemption request.

North Dakota is the nation’s leading honey-producing state. In 2008, the state produced 35 million pounds or 22 percent of the nation’s honey crop. The state honey crop was valued at $47.3 million.

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MEDIA: For more information, please call Ted Quanrud at (701) 328-2233 or tquanrud@nd.gov or Patrice Lahlum at (701) 239-7210 or plahlum@nd.gov.