Varroa Mites and the Honey Bee

Presented by: Rick Bledsoe

Chec k ing Var roa In fest at ion Levels

Visual observation of the hive- Do you see deformed

bees/wings?- Do you see a lot of dead bees?- Do you see varroa mites on

any bees?

Chec k ing Var roa In fest at ion Levels

Sugar Shake

Alcohol Wash

Ether Roll

Sticky Board Count

Video: Sugar Shake

Understanding Mite Count

When was sample taken?

Before supering – April/MayTreat when levels are 2-3 mites/sample

Mid flow (optional) –June/July Remove crop and treat when 10 or more mites/sample

Post honey flow before final fall brood rearing – Aug/Sept Treat when levels are 10-12 mites/sample

These thresholds assume normal size colonies with brood

It is recommended that a minimum of 2 samples be taken each year.

Spring sampling (April to mid-June) will help establish the colony condition before/during the active season. If 2-3 or more mites are in sample you should perform a non-chemical IPM treatment to reduce mite buildup.

At a minimum, a fall (no later than mid-August) assessment should be made of each colony/apiary.

If more than 10-12 mites are shaken further treatment is needed to help insure over winter survival.

Treat m ent o f Var roa Mi t es

Aim is to have the minimum Varroa population by winter

Powdered Sugar Dusting

- Pouring powdered sugar through the hive.- Mites will release and fall off bees.- Moderate effectiveness; use with a screened bottom.- Use in the spring every 5-7 days for at least a month- More time intensive.- Shouldn’t be used during a honey flow?- Less effective when bees are clustered

Powdered Sugar Dusting

Chem ic al Treat m ent s

Apiguard

Api Life VAR

Mite Away II

Over time mites grow resistant to Chemical treatments

Chem ic al Treat m ent sThings t o Consider

Come up with a plan.

Research the product.

Don’t use during a honey flow.

Most treatments are temperature sensitive.

Check to see if mites have become tolerant!

Check out the treatment cycle. Most are time and season dependent.

Naturally occurring chemicals

-Essential oils, especially lemon, mint, and thyme oil

-Oxalic acid applied as a vapor or trickling method

-Formic acid as vapor or pads

HopGuard – This is a beta acid and is generally recognized as a safe food additive.

Hopguard is an extract from the Hop plant.

Cardboard strips impregnated with the extract are hung between frames using two strips per 10 frames.

Up to three applications can be applied per year..

Mite Away Quick Strips (MAQS) –

Uses formic acid which naturally

occurs in honey.Can be used with honey supers on.Kills 95% of mites that are capped.Only one treatment required.

Controlling mites using vaporized mineral oil:

Local “Survivor” Stock

Local bees

Swarms

Bees raised by local beekeepers

Behavioral Methods

Bee race selection - Minnesota hygienic Varroa resistant Italians

- Russians are 1/3 to ½ less susceptible to mite reproduction.

VSH—Varroa Sensitive Hygienic behavior