Varroa Mite Results Explained

Growth Stage Results Explained

When a beehive is small in population, their primary goal is to grow (more bees, more food, more comb!).

The growth stage is an optimal time to treat because:

• • There is no honey on the hive for human consumption, thus it won't taint honey to be harvested later in the summer
• • A low hive population often means a lower dosage (with most treatments) is put into the hive. It is also easier to administer when less bees are present.
• • Low mite levels at this time ensure the bees are healthy so they can grow fast, defend the hive easily, and make as much honey as possible come peak season.
• • There are a lot more treatment options when honey supers are not on the hive and it is not close to the end of the beekeeping season.

Because the queen's laying is top priority, mite treatments, such as Apiguard, that slow down or stop her laying are not recommended at this time. Although formic pro can cause the queen to stop laying and brood loss, it is highly effective and the hive is often very active when the treatment is over.

Areas with a short peak season (otherwise known as a short nectar flow) can withstand higher mite counts in the growth stage than areas with a long peak season. This is because we want to avoid treating when honey supers are on the hive.

For example, if you are in a warm climate with multiple nectar flows that run from February to August (also will be your peak season), you will want to treat in December or January even with a low mite count so that mite levels can increase over the next 6 months and will not require a treatment until the peak season has ended. 

Optional!

It is up to each beekeeper to decide what their beehive's threshold for mites should be. You can wait and see how mite levels increase over the months as the hive grows. There are treatment options when honey is on the hive. Please keep in mind, that once mite levels get too high, 7+ mites from a sampling of 300 bees, your bees will have difficulty recovering due to the high virus load in the hive. Once the hive has a mite count of 10+, it is common for them to abscond (abandon the hive). 

Peak Season Results Explained

During the peak season, we want to avoid treating if possible. This is because:

• • There are few treatment options when honey supers are on the hive.
• • Peak season is often one of the hottest times of the year. Hot temperatures (especially if your hives are in a sunny spot), can cause your bees to abscond or kill their queen when certain treatments are administered.

If you have honey for harvesting on the beehive, your treatments options are VarroxSan (organic) and Formic Pro. 

Formic Pro has temperature restrictions and can only be used if daytime temperature are between 50-85F during those first 3 days of treating the beehive.

If you expect to harvest your honey soon, it is advised that you do so before treating your bees unless your mite count is 6 or greater. At this level, it is recommended to treat your hives no matter the time of year. 

Post Harvest Season Results Explained

If you experience freezing temperatures in the winter time, the post harvest season is the start of your winter prep! 

Once the nectar flow has ended, cold climate beekeepers will want their hive's mite levels to be 0 or 1! This is to ensure the winter bees being made at this time are as healthy as possible. Healthy winter bees are strong and can produce the heat needed to keep the hive warm.

In warm climates, your hives mite levels can increase up to 3-5 before you have to put in a treatment. 

Your treatment options this time of year are Apiguard, ApiLife Var, Formic Pro and VarroxSan. If you do not have brood present, you could also use oxalic acid in the vaporization or dribble method, however, I recommend saving this for the late season treatment if you're in a cold climate.

Formic Pro has temperature restrictions and can only be used if daytime temperature are between 50-85F during those first 3 days of treating the beehive.

Apiguard can only be used if daytime temperatures are between 60-100F for the entire length it is in the hive.

If you have honey for consumption on the hive, it is recommended that you remove it from the hive before using any miticide.

Late Season Results Explained

If you experience freezing temperatures in the winter time, the late season treatment should be a crucial part of your winter prep.

Cold climate beekeepers will want their hive's mite levels to be 0 or 1 throughout the post harvest and late season time. This is to ensure the winter bees being made at this time are as healthy as possible and there are little to no mites in the hive before closing it up for winter. 

In warm climates, your hives mite levels can increase up to 3-5 before you have to put in a treatment. Ultimately, you just want your mite levels low before the nectar flow starts. Many treatments are in the hive for 4-6 weeks, so allow yourself the time for the full treatment. 

Your treatment options this time of year are VarroxSan and oxalic acid dribble method and oxalic acid using a vaporizer. Oxalic acid is the top treatment option this time of year because it is effective, it doesn't cause queen loss or absconding and the vaporizer and dribble method work best when there is little to no brood present. If you do have brood present, you could also use oxalic acid in the vaporization or dribble method, however, you'll want to administer it 3 times, 6 days apart to ensure you get the brood that is hatching. Warm climates can also use Apiguard or Formic Pro (but do not use these treatments if a cold winter is coming soon).

Dormant Season Results Explained

If you experience freezing temperatures in the winter time, then your bees will go through a dormant phase when they are not actively leaving the hive daily. In warm climates, your bees do not go through this stage.

When outside temperatures are below 65F (or even 70F really), I do not recommend conducting a mite test. Treating before you closed the hive up for winter and treating again in early-mid spring should be sufficient. Leave the bees alone.

However, some beekeepers do treat during this dormant phase. The only way this can be done is with an oxalic acid vaporizer if it is so cold out that your bees are clustered up. Any treatments with strips will not be effective if the bees are in a cluster. Not enough bees will come in contact with the strips.

I know beekeepers who do treat with oxalic acid in the winter, once a month if it is at least 45F, but it is not necessary. Excessive exposure to oxalic acid has been known to shorten the lifespan of honey bees. Only go this route if you were not able to treat your bees before closing the hive up for winter or previous years experience has led you to think that high mite loads harmed the hive over winter. 

Varroa Mite Treatment Rules

• • Conduct a varroa mite test every 4-6 weeks when outside temperatures are 70+F. Not every hive in the apiary needs to be tested every time. You can rotate which hive is tested each month.
• • Unless a hive has consistently shown a mite count of 0 or 1, every hive in the apiary should be treated, when a treatment is administered.
• • Do not use the same treatment every time, especially non-organic treatments, as they can cause resistance to the treatments.
• • Follow the manufacturer's instructions, take all required safety precautions, and use the recommended dosage for the proper length of time.
• • Conduct a mite test after treating to ensure the treatment worked! Some treatments give you the option to leave in for a couple more weeks if mite levels are not at 0 or 1. Test for mites before treating and after.