Varroa Mites

The single greatest threat to honey bee populations worldwide is the invasive mite, Varroa destructor. The life cycle of the varroa mites is tightly adapted to the development of honey bees. Varroa mites are serious and devastating ectoparasites of the honey bee. During the phoretic phase, the varroa mites live on the bodies of honey bees and feed on their hemolymph. The symptoms arising out of heavy mite infestation is referred to as varrosis. The reproductive phase of varroa mites happens exclusively in the capped cells of developing bee pupae. This page is a collection of information and resources we have been assembling.

Various Articles for winter and rainy day reading

Measuring and Managing Mites

Here's an easy-to-read and understand PDF from the Honey Bee Health Coalition on options for testing for mites, and treatments. It also describes the mite life-cycle during the season and how mite levels go up and down based on the amount of brood in the hive. During peak season, the mites are at their highest.

http://honeybeehealthcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/HBHC%20Guide_Varroa_Interactive_23Sep.pdf