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Kill mites with heat

Introducing the Varroa Destructor Destructor

Most varroa mite treatments only reach mites on adult bees, leaving the majority of the mite population protected inside capped cells with brood. Hyperthermal treatment, or treatment by hyperthermia, is one of the few reliable ways to reach mites where they reproduce.

The Varroa Destructor Destructor is a thermal management system built into a Langstroth honey super, turning your familiar beekeeping equipment into a controlled heat treatment environment. Designed first for varroa mite management, it also provides a flexible platform for other hive-related thermal processes.

Read more about hyperthermal treatment
Varroa Destructor Destructor unit
VDD unit with its fan assembly

Product description

  • Simple analog control: Manage critical varroa treatment functions like warm-up and run treatment directly from the VDD using a simple analog control knob, without needing the app.
  • Bluetooth display and advanced control: Use the iPhone or Android app to check treatment conditions, or view status messages live, monitor treatment progress, or directly set and manage the VDD temperature or fan speed.
  • Langstroth form factor: By using Langstroth boxes as the building block, standard beekeeping equipment can be used to extend the size of the treatment environment, while adaptors can be used to interface to other systems.
  • Expandable capacity: Treat 8 to 9 frames in a standard Langstroth deep super, with up to three supers stacked for simultaneous treatment.
  • Spatially uniform and stable conditions: A large thermal buffer ensures a stable temperature control while high airflows ensure an even temperature distribution.
  • Efficient operation: The VDD consumes up to 1,100 W during warm-up, with typical consumption much lower after the initial warm-up.

One device, multiple uses

The HealthyHives VDD is a multipurpose device that offers many functions to improve bee health and management.

Varroa mite treatment

Closed treatment unit illustrationOpened treatment unit illustration

Treat varroa mites by stacking up to three deep supers with the frames to be treated, along with the humidification frame, above the VDD and run the treatment cycle.

Make varroa treatment with the VDD a core part of your varroa control and management plan.

Honey dehydration

Closed honey drying unit illustrationOpened honey drying unit illustration

Enable short-window early-spring delicacies like Maple Blossom Honey that are challenging to ripen before the next blossoms begin.

To dehydrate honey, open the vents and use the app to set the temperature to 36°C, stacking honey supers and frames above the VDD until the target humidity is achieved.

Wax moth treatment

Closed wax moth treatment unit illustration

Prepare equipment for winter storage or eliminate infestations.

Stack bee-less boxes and frames to be treated above the VDD and set the temperature to 50°C. After 2 hours at 50°C, the frames, any other equipment loaded into the boxes, and the insides of the boxes are free of live moths or moth larvae.