Part 11: Managing Parasitic Mites

Varroa mites are some of the most challenging pests to control. They may be small, but these parasites have significantly impacted the beekeeping industry. They physically weaken honey bees and affect their immune systems while spreading dangerous pathogens between honey bees and bee colonies. Understanding the life cycle of these mites is key to knowing how to control them. Learn about their relationship to your honey bees and about various management methods. Another pest, called the tracheal mite, is also discussed.

0:00 – Impact of varroa mites
8:07 - Life cycle of varroa
11:47 – Varroa mite treatments
12:19 – “Hard” chemical miticides
14:46 – Problems associated with miticides
16:26 – “Soft” chemical treatments
16:53 – Hops beta acids
18:37 – Formic acid
21:53 – Oxalic acid
27:25 – Essential plant oils
29:50 – Non-chemical mite control
30:04 – Powdered sugar dusting
31:58 – Screen bottom boards
32:28 – Mite-resistant bee genetics
36:17 – Drone brood trapping
40:18 – Which mite control method is best?
44:20 – Are mite treatments necessary?
45:11 – Seasonal bee-mite population dynamics
48:36 – The mite-virus complex
49:36 – Honey bee tracheal mites

For more information on Bee Keeping, visit: https://www.uaex.uada.edu/bees
For a printable handout, visit: https://uaex.uada.edu/bee-class#handouts
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