Varroa Management
Varroa Destructor Mite is the most recent invasive pest affecting Apis Mellifera.
It is spreading across numerous states quickly as our Spring to Autumn season reaches its peak.
Varroa Mites are a parasite that feeds on both the larvae and adult bees weakening their bodies and affecting overall hive survival.
Learning about the life cycle of the mite helps us determine the best times in which to use different methods within our Pest Management Plan.
- Testing for the mite to count thresholds
- Keeping our hives strong through good nutrition and other pest management
- Capturing and managing Swarms
- Managing Queen activity and using for varroa/drone removal
- Treatments (synthetic and non-synthetic)
- Reporting infestations
Becs Beehive Beekeeping Supplies has carefully selected all of the products we believe will help with these elements of Varroa Mite Management. See them HERE
WHAT TO DO NOW VARROA IS HERE
Keep completing Drone uncapping for the presence of Varroa and Alcohol or Soapy Water washes for counting how high the infestation is.
Visit the website VARROA MITE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM to complete the TRAINING and find out who to REPORT to when Varroa is found in your apiary.
The training will guide you through various methods of treatment that are not treatment related with Chemicals being the last resort.
A major point of the training is not to use treatments UNTIL THEY ARE A LAST RESORT to save your bees!
The last thing we need, is over use or incorrect use of treatments as this leads to mites that have a resistance to the treatments and we lose options on how to manage them.
A useful tool to decide which treatment to use in your apiary can be found at NSW DPIRD website