“Varroa destructor, the Varroa mite, is an external parasitic mite that attacks and feeds on honey bees and is one of the most damaging honey bee pests in the world.[2][3] A significant mite infestation leads to the death of a honey bee colony, usually in the late autumn through early spring. Without management for Varroa mite, honey bee colonies typically collapse within 2 to 3 years in temperate climates.” – Wikipedia
Checking for Varroa – how to determine if your hive is at risk.
Control
GBA strongly advocates using an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) treatment approach for varroa. Following an IPM strategy for controlling Varroa will reduce the use of chemical treatments, and boost the effectiveness of chemical treatments – a win/win.
IPM categorizes treatment strategies in three groups:
- Cultural – Varroa concentrates on larvae. Manipulating the queen’s egg laying can knock down the Varroa population.
- Mechanical – Screened bottom boards allow the mites to fall to the ground, where they cannot easily return to the hive.
- Chemical – Extended Oxalic Acid treatment and other miticides.
Recommendations
The following recommendations are based on our experiences at the club Apiary, and input from club members.
- It is recommended to rotate your treatments throughout the year.
- Be Proactive! The most important treatment period is spring. Once the Varroa population has built up, it is hard to knock it back down.
- Extended Release Oxalic Acid – we have had very good success with OAE. This is our preferred method.
- Norroa
- Apivar
- Formic Pro
- Brood Break
- Drone Comb Removal
- Screened Bottom Boards
References
- Varroa Management – Randy Oliver, Scientific Beekeeping, current. Highly recommended.
- Tools for Varroa Management – Honey Bee Health Coalition, 2015. Highly recommended by Arthur.
- Methods to Control Varroa Mites: An Integrated Pest Management Approach – Penn State Extension, Nov 2022.