Hobbies And Interests
Appearance
A female varroa mite is around 1mm to 1.5mm in length. It has a flattened and oval body structure, eight legs and reddish-brown color. The adult mites are big enough to be spotted on the bees, particularly on the thorax and abdomen. Due to their shape, they can hide between the abdominal segments of the bees.
Development
Varroa mites develop on broods. They usually invade a brood cell a day before it is capped and sealed with the larva inside. The mites feed on the growing larva and even lay their eggs on it. By the time the adult honey bee emerges from the cell, many mites have matured and already mated.
Transmission
The mites spread from one hive to another due to drifting worker bees and drones. Some honey bees acquire these mites when they take over smaller colonies.
Detection
Detecting an infestation of varroa mites in time is the key to controlling and managing the infestation. As the mites are visible to the naked eye, inspecting bee colonies thoroughly reveals these parasites. You can easily spot them on the white larvae of honey bees because of their structure and dark color.
Control of Varroa Mites
Sugar dusting is an effective way to remove mites. When you dust the hive with sugar, the bees start cleaning themselves because they are dusty. During this cleaning process some of the mites are also dusted off from their bodies. To apply the sugar powder, use a powder bottle or pepper shaker.
Use mite traps to prevent varroa mites from climbing from one bee to another. There are commercially available traps especially for varroa mites. Place them at the bottom of the hive to catch the falling mites. Make your own trap using cut paper smeared with vegetable oil and placing it under the hive. Place mesh on the paper that has slots large enough for the mites to fall through, but smaller than the bees.
Chemical control seems to be the most effective method to control varroa mites. Use Apistan strips in the hive for six weeks. Make sure that the honey bees walk over the strips for this control method to work. Use the strips during late fall and early spring when the mites are not capped and sealed in combs. Oxalic acid is another chemical that is effective in controlling and eliminating varroa mites. Apply the acid in late fall or early winter when there are no broods in the hive.