EPA Proposes to Register New Pesticide for Varroa Mite Control
Released May 29, 2025
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed to register one technical and two end use products containing the new active ingredient Vadescana, a double stranded RNA (dsRNA), for control against Varroa mites (Varroa destructor) in honey bee hives.
Varroa mites are parasites that feed on honey bees and transmit numerous honey bee viruses, both of which lead to reduced lifespan of bees. Once infested by Varroa mites, if left untreated, a honey bee colony will likely die. Varroa mites are a national threat to bee colonies and in turn to farmers with crops dependent on pollination services provided by bees, and ultimately to food security in the United States. EPA is prioritizing pesticide applications that target Varroa mites to provide beekeepers with a variety of tools to combat this pest.
No risks of concern to human health or the environment were identified, including risks to federally listed species under the Endangered Species Act. When used according to the label, risks to bees are not expected because Vadescana is highly specific to the targeted gene within Varroa mites.
Additionally, in March 2025, EPA registered a new varroacide product containing l-glutamic acid, an active ingredient that has not previously been included in registered products for use in bee hives. The agency also intends to register another product containing oxalic acid, a slow release varroacide within bee hives, by July 2025. Together, these four end use products are expected to provide new tools, including novel active ingredients, for control of Varroa mites in bee hives.
EPA will continue to work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, states and honey bee industry stakeholders in coordinated efforts to provide support for the beekeeping community. The agency is also working in collaboration with the National Pesticide Information Center, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and Canada's Ministry of Agriculture for Fisheries and Food to develop educational and training content about bee kill investigations. These efforts include the development of videos available in English, Spanish and French Canadian that provide resources for pesticide decision makers and educate the public about Integrated Pest Management options and legal options of pest control for varroa mites, small hive beetles and wax moths. Additionally, EPA funded the development of interactive training modules to help pesticide applicators to conduct bee kill investigations.
The videos are available on the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services website.
To read more about the proposed registration of these products and to comment, see docket ID EPA-HQ-OPP-2023-0558 at www.regulations.gov. The public comment period will be open for 15 days, closing on June 12, 2025.