Varroa mites can quickly become a very serious problem for bees and bee keepers. To keep your colony safe from the effects of this parasite, be sure to perform periodic inspections. Using the VarroaCheck makes the process simple and provides an accurate assessment of the infestation in a hive.
Varroa mites are external parasites of honey bees that feed on developing brood as well as full-grown adults. In the US, these mites were first detected in Florida in the mid 1980s but are now found nation-wide. In many cases, colonies infested with Varroa mites may produce malformed brood with missing wings or legs, and parasitized adult bees are often weak and short-lived. Left untreated, infestations quickly grow out of control and may kill entire colonies.
Adult Varroa mites have eight legs, are a reddish-brown color and have an oval body typically between 1 and 1.5 mm across. While they are large enough to be seen with the naked eye, their flat shape allows them to hide between the segments of the thorax or abdomen of honey bees.
A colony infested with Varroa mites typically produces less honey and is susceptible to secondary infections. Checking for Varroa mites is an essential part of controlling this parasite and limiting the effects on your colonies. Using the VarroaCheck makes it simple to check for mites, assess the level of infestation and determine the effectiveness of treatments. Don’t wait until you see the effects of an infestation to check for Varroa mites! Detecting mites early is the best way to keep them under control.
Primarily, mites are spread among colonies by drifting drones and workers. Occasionally, a honey bee may pick up Varroa mites when robbing smaller colonies. However, no matter how a colony becomes infected, when left untreated the mites quickly multiply within the hive.
When inspecting your hives, we suggest wearing protective clothing and using a bee smoker to help keep the colony calm.
At Rocky Mountain Bee Supply, we advocate using the most gentle mite treatments available. Check out these products:
Also, check out our stellar Varroa Mite Class by Dann Purvis: Varroa Mite Class