Testing and Treating for Mites
The importance of testing and treating for mites
Understanding the Risks of Varroa Mites -- a short video by Meghan Milbrath of the Michigan Pollinator Initiative.
For a deeper dive in understanding how Varroa mites impact a bee colony, you might want to read Randy Oliver’s (Scientific Beekeeping) Understanding Varroa Population Dynamics.
The exponential growth of varroa mites in a bee colony and its particularly negative effects on the development of winter bees present a serious challenge to the beekeeper. Developing a year long plan to use the variety of tools available to manage varroa populations can help ensure that varroa mites never take over your colonies and your bees stay healthy. Two articles by Megan Milbrath of the Michigan Pollinator Initiative address how you can plan to manage the varroa mite in your apiary. You may want to read Planning for Varroa (2017) or Keeping Your Bees Safe (2018). .
Honey Bee Health Coalition (HBHC) Tools for Varroa Management.
The Guide explains practical and effective methods for managing Varroa mites. You can download a version in color or in black and white.
The accompanying videos include a video on sampling methods and several videos on treatment options.
The Guide explains practical and effective methods for managing Varroa mites. You can download a version in color or in black and white.
The accompanying videos include a video on sampling methods and several videos on treatment options.
Monitoring mites with an alcohol wash
There are at least three different tools beekeepers use to do an alcohol wash: a pair of plastic cups with some tulle (a nylon netting material often used for veils), one (or two) pint size mason jars, and a commercially available plastic “Varroa EasyCheck” sampler (works similarly to the plastic cups).
Those of you who attended the WCBA’s Short Course received a pair of plastic cups at the course. This mite washer was developed by Randy Oliver of Scientific Beekeeping. Directions for making your own can be found here.
Here are three videos showing the use of each of these mite washing tools:
Using Randy Oliver’s plastic cup mite washer.
Using two mason jars. -- notice the importance of washing the bees two or three times to make sure you get all the mites in your sample! You can use alcohol or water for the second and third washings.
Using the Varroa EasyCheck sampler. -- General directions and a link to a short video.
Those of you who attended the WCBA’s Short Course received a pair of plastic cups at the course. This mite washer was developed by Randy Oliver of Scientific Beekeeping. Directions for making your own can be found here.
Here are three videos showing the use of each of these mite washing tools:
Using Randy Oliver’s plastic cup mite washer.
Using two mason jars. -- notice the importance of washing the bees two or three times to make sure you get all the mites in your sample! You can use alcohol or water for the second and third washings.
Using the Varroa EasyCheck sampler. -- General directions and a link to a short video.
Treating Mites with Oxalic Acid
Learn about using the oxalic acid (OA) dribble method for a Fall/Winter mite treatment and other uses of OA in your bee yard.
An excellent overview of the OA dribble method can be found on the Honey Bee Suite website, along with a Q&A section and a short video demo..
You can find a detailed You Tube video on the dribble method by Jason Chrisman here and some additional information here.
Randy Oliver of Scientific Beekeeping has done extensive research on the use of OA in the treatment of miles. You can find detailed information on the effectiveness of OA, updates on his current work with extended release OA/glycerin, on the dribble method of mite treatment, on the use of OA vaporization, using OA with nuns, treating packages of bees and swarms, and much much more. Here are just some of the pages you might find interesting:
http://scientificbeekeeping.com/extended-release-oxalic-acid-progress-report-2019/
http://scientificbeekeeping.com/the-learning-curve-part-3-the-natural-miticides/
http://scientificbeekeeping.com/oxalic-acid-questions-answers-and-more-questions-part-1-of-2-parts/
http://scientificbeekeeping.com/oxalic-dribble-tips/
http://scientificbeekeeping.com/oxalic-acid-treatment-table/
http://scientificbeekeeping.com/oxalic-acid-powerpoint-presentation/
The EPA guidelines for the use of Oxalic Acid can be found here.
Learn about using the oxalic acid (OA) dribble method for a Fall/Winter mite treatment and other uses of OA in your bee yard.
An excellent overview of the OA dribble method can be found on the Honey Bee Suite website, along with a Q&A section and a short video demo..
You can find a detailed You Tube video on the dribble method by Jason Chrisman here and some additional information here.
Randy Oliver of Scientific Beekeeping has done extensive research on the use of OA in the treatment of miles. You can find detailed information on the effectiveness of OA, updates on his current work with extended release OA/glycerin, on the dribble method of mite treatment, on the use of OA vaporization, using OA with nuns, treating packages of bees and swarms, and much much more. Here are just some of the pages you might find interesting:
http://scientificbeekeeping.com/extended-release-oxalic-acid-progress-report-2019/
http://scientificbeekeeping.com/the-learning-curve-part-3-the-natural-miticides/
http://scientificbeekeeping.com/oxalic-acid-questions-answers-and-more-questions-part-1-of-2-parts/
http://scientificbeekeeping.com/oxalic-dribble-tips/
http://scientificbeekeeping.com/oxalic-acid-treatment-table/
http://scientificbeekeeping.com/oxalic-acid-powerpoint-presentation/
The EPA guidelines for the use of Oxalic Acid can be found here.
Treatment options and thresholds
Treatments for mites can be confusing! The Honey Bee Health Coalition’s “Tools for Varroa Management” guide offers several useful charts and summary sections. Take a look at:
Interpreting Sample Findings -- p. 9
Control Options by Seasonal Phase -- pp. 12-13
Synthetic Chemicals and Non-chemical Controls -- pp. 16 - 24
Another valuable resource on treatment options has been created by Eversweet Apiaries in Kearneysville, West Virginia. Look at their comparative chart of 2020 EPA approved commercial products for Varroa mite treatment. The chart does an excellent job of summarizing the pros and cons of each treatment option (including identifying those treatments for which there is known mite resistance), recommended application time, duration, dosage and more! Keep in mind that this chart does not include other tools for Varroa management (e.g., drone comb removal, Varroa Sensitive Hygenic queens, brood interruption, etc.). Before applying treatments, refer to the manufacturer’s website, guidelines and instructions for the most up to date information.
Interpreting Sample Findings -- p. 9
Control Options by Seasonal Phase -- pp. 12-13
Synthetic Chemicals and Non-chemical Controls -- pp. 16 - 24
Another valuable resource on treatment options has been created by Eversweet Apiaries in Kearneysville, West Virginia. Look at their comparative chart of 2020 EPA approved commercial products for Varroa mite treatment. The chart does an excellent job of summarizing the pros and cons of each treatment option (including identifying those treatments for which there is known mite resistance), recommended application time, duration, dosage and more! Keep in mind that this chart does not include other tools for Varroa management (e.g., drone comb removal, Varroa Sensitive Hygenic queens, brood interruption, etc.). Before applying treatments, refer to the manufacturer’s website, guidelines and instructions for the most up to date information.
Other resources
Honey Bee Health Coalition - Guide to Best Management Practices for Bee Health
Michigan Pollinator Initiative and the Keep Bees Alive project.
Randy Oliver's Varroa Management at Scientific Beekeeping
Michigan Pollinator Initiative and the Keep Bees Alive project.
Randy Oliver's Varroa Management at Scientific Beekeeping