honey bee, varroa, pests

1. Varroa Mites and
the Honey Bee
Presented by: Rick Bledsoe

2. Check ing Var roa Infest 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?

3. Check ing Var roa Infest at ion Levels
Sugar Shake
Alcohol Wash
Ether Roll
Sticky Board Count

5. Video: Sugar Shake

6. Understanding Mite Count
When was sample taken?
Before supering – April/May
Treat 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

7. 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.

8. Treat m ent of Var roa Mit es
Aim is to have the minimum Varroa
population by winter

10. 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

11. Powdered Sugar Dusting

13. Chem ic al Treat m ent s
Apiguard
Api Life VAR
Mite Away II
Over time mites grow resistant to
Chemical treatments

14. Chem ic al Treat m ent s
Things 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.

15. 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

16.  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..

17. 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.

18. Controlling mites using vaporized mineral oil:

19. Local “Survivor” Stock
Local bees
Swarms
Bees raised by local beekeepers

20. 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