When do beekeepers in Michigan need pesticide certification and licenses?
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EmailWhether a beekeeper needs to be certified to treat honey bee colonies for varroa mites depends on the treatment used and whether the application is for hire.
Varroa mites (Varroa destructor) are a parasite to honey bees (Apis mellifera) that have devastating effects on honey bee colony health or survival. Beekeepers can manage varroa mites with pesticide products registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that are approved for use against varroa mites in beehives. The applicator may need to be certified, depending on the treatment used and the situation surrounding the application, as described below.
The information in this article is intended to help beekeepers in Michigan understand restrictions and requirements regarding pesticide applications of varroa mite treatments in honey bee colonies. For the most up-to-date information or for clarification, please refer to Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s webpage on pesticide applicator certification.
Do I need to be certified as a pesticide applicator in Michigan to use general use pesticides to my own honey bee colonies?
You do not need to be certified as a pesticide applicator in Michigan to apply general use pesticides, also referred to as unclassified pesticides, in your own hives.
What certification do I need to apply restricted use pesticides to my own honey bee colonies?
You must be certified as a private or commercial pesticide applicator in Michigan to apply restricted use pesticides to your own hives. If you are certified as a commercial pesticide applicator, it does not matter which category of use you hold if you are applying restricted use pesticides to your own hives.
What certification do I need to advertise and apply pesticides for hire to another beekeeper’s honey bee colonies?
If you want to apply general use or restricted use pesticides for hire in honey bee operations that are not your own, you need to be certified as a commercial pesticide applicator and be certified in category 1D, livestock pest management. All commercial applicators must pass the commercial core exam. Your business must also be licensed as a pesticide application business to advertise and apply pesticide applications for hire.
Do I need certification to apply pesticides to another beekeeper’s hives as a volunteer?
If you want to apply general use pesticides in honey bee operations that are not your own and are doing so for free, are trading services with a fellow beekeeper, or as a volunteer for a fellow beekeeper, you do not need to be certified as a pesticide applicator. In the case of a volunteer application, either the volunteer applicator or the hive owner can purchase the product, as long as the applicator isn't receiving compensation for the application. The person receiving the pesticide application could pay for or already have the product.
If you want to apply restricted use pesticides in honey bee operations that are not your own and are doing so for free, are trading services with a fellow beekeeper or as a volunteer for a fellow beekeeper, you may do so with a private or commercial applicator license. Restricted use pesticides must be purchased by certified applicators, but the hive owner may reimburse the volunteer applicator for the cost of the product. If you are certified as a commercial pesticide applicator, it does not matter which category of use you hold if you are applying restricted use pesticides for free or trading services.
How do I know if a varroa mite treatment is a general use pesticide or a restricted use pesticide?
EPA registers all pesticides as either unclassified or restricted use. The pesticide’s label will state “Restricted Use Pesticide” if it is restricted use. Anyone can purchase general use pesticides, whereas restricted use pesticides require a pesticide applicator license to be purchased.
EPA lists registered pesticide products approved for use against varroa mites in bee hives. Examples of general use pesticides used in honey bee colonies for varroa mites include ApiBioxal, ApiLife Var, Apiguard, Apistan, Apivar, CheckMite+, Formic Pro, HopGuard and Mite Away Quick Strips. An example of a restricted use pesticide is Amiflex.
Are there restrictions for applying general use pesticides in my own honey bee colonies?
Yes, even though you do not need to be certified as a pesticide applicator to apply general use pesticides to your own honey bee colonies, you must follow the pesticide’s label.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued an advisory on the applicability of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act for substances used to control varroa mites in beehives.
What certification do I need to provide honey bee removal services?
As long as you are not using pesticides, you do not need to be certified as a pesticide applicator to remove swarms or remove honey bees from structures, also known as performing cut outs.
What certification do I need to provide wasp removal services?
You must be certified as a commercial pesticide applicator to apply general use pesticides or restricted use pesticides if you advertise and apply pesticide applications for hire. To manage wasps with pesticides, you must be certified in category 7A, general pest pest management. All commercial applicators must pass the commercial core exam. Your business must also be licensed as a pesticide application business.
Additional resources
- Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development - Pesticide Applicator Certification
- EPA-registered Pesticide Products Approved for Use Against Varroa Mites in Bee Hives
- Advisory on the Applicability Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) for Substances used to Control Varroa Mites in Beehives
- Honey Bee Health Coalition Tools for Varroa Management Guide
Acknowledgements
Thank you to the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development for providing input and contributing language for this article.
Thank you to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for securing funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for Michigan State University to implement strategies in the Michigan Managed Pollinator Protection Plan.
This work is/was supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Crop Protection and Pest Management Program through the North Central IPM Center (2018-70006-28883 and 2022-70006-38001).
This work is supported by the Crop Protection and Pest Management Program [grant no 2021-70006-35450] from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
