Varroa mite infestation represents one of the greatest threats to honey bee health, honey production, and pollination services.
Effective mite control will reduce colony losses and avoid potential spread of infectious disease among colonies.
There are different methods of controlling varroa mites infestation:
– After treatment falls
– Natural mite falls
– Sugar shake
– Alcohol/soap wash
– Ether roll
– Drone cells assessment
The following table describe the infestation used for each method:
Method | Infestation | Example |
Sugar shake, Alcohol/soap wash, Ether roll | Percentage per bees | 3 mites per 100 adult bees = 3% |
After treatment falls, Natural mites falls | Average per day | 30 mites counted on the 3rd day since last treatment/counting = 10 mites per day |
After treatment falls, Natural mites falls | Number of mites | 20 mites |
Drone cells assessment | Percentage of cells | 37 mites for 120 drone brood cells = 30% |
I order to determine when a colony needs treatment and to evaluate treatment the next inputs must be taken into consideration:
– the life cycles of both the honey bee colony and the mite
– the number of mites present in the colony at any point in time
– tactics to control mites (rotation of chemical products, drone brood frames removal, requeening)
References:
Tools for Varroa Management – Honney Bee Health Coalition
COLOSS – Varroa task force
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We already incorporated a lot of feedback received from beekeepers from around the world. If you have any suggestions please send it to bogdan@piarybook.com. I developed this app, but I am also a beekeeper.