Effective mite control is dependent on frequent and reliable detection. Varroa mites spread rapidly between hives and bee yards due to drifting, robbing and hive movement. Mite levels rise rapidly in late summer and early fall. In heavily infested areas, individual colony infestations can grow from being undetectable to life-threatening levels within a few months.
It is important to monitor mite levels by sampling all or most colonies on a regular basis. Larger beekeepers should sample at least 10% of the colonies in each yard in the spring and the fall. Unusually large or small colonies and those at the end of rows should be tested.
Early detection offers the best opportunity for effective Varroa control. Frequency of colony testing is as follows:
There are different detection methods available, some more sensitive than others. Some methods require a mathematical conversion to estimate the actual number of mites in a colony. A colony's mite load will indicate the treatment necessary.
The following are a number of detection methods to choose from:
Up to 85% of the mites in a colony are in capped brood cells and not visually detectable. Varroa mites are more attracted to drone brood than worker brood, so look there first. Sample about 100 cells. Locate a patch of drone cells in the purple eye pupal stage. Slide the prongs of a de-capping fork along the comb face and into the protruding drone cappings. Pry upward and remove the pupae. Carefully examine the bodies and the interior of the cells for mites.
Boards are available commercially or can be prepared by beekeepers. The commercial boards are covered with a sticky film and require a screen (8-gauge) to prevent bee entanglement.
For home-made preparations, white sheets of paper, cardboard or corrugated plastic (eg. Tenplast) can be cut to cover most of the hive bottom surface (40 x 30cm / 16 x 12in). One side of the board surface should be covered with a 1:1 mixture of cooking oil and petroleum jelly, or the surface can be sprayed with a thin coating of PAM vegetable oil. A cover screen is not required. Boards must be cleaned thoroughly before reusing them to prevent mite transfer.
Install sticky board for 24 hours only. When the board is left longer, there will be too much debris, making it difficult to count mites.
Apistan is applied in plastic strips and is a contact miticide. It does not have an effect on mites developing in capped (bee) brood cells.
The use of Apistan strips in combination with a sticky board for 24 hours has proven to be a very effective method of determining infestation levels. For detection purposes, use recommendations below under "CheckMite+".
Coumaphos is applied in plastic strips under the trade name CheckMite+. Coumaphos does not kill mites in sealed brood cells. When there is no brood in the colony, the mite count on a sticky board will accurately reflect the colony's infestation level. When brood is present, as much as 85% of the mite population is hidden under the capped brood cells.
For detection purposes, use one CheckMite+ or Apistan strip per nucleus or two strips for a standard two-supered hive, where the strips are placed between frames in the central brood area. Daytime temperatures should be 10 degrees C or higher. Strips and sticky board should be removed after 24 hours. For treatment purposes, follow label instructions.
Mite Level Determination: Multiply the number of mites on a board by 6.
Note: CheckMite+ or Apistan trips only used for detection purposes can be re-used 10 times for 24-hour tests before disposing of them. Please make sure that the strips are not exposed to sunlight. When not in use, store in a marked container in a cool, dry and dark place.
Note: The development of mite resistance to Apistan and CheckMite+ in parts of the province has made it important to determine the efficacy of these products. For efficacy testing, refer to Factsheet #223.
Formic acid is used to control both Varroa and tracheal mites. Several application methods have been developed. It is important to recognize the factors that influence the efficacy of formic acid, including colony size, weather, condition and behavior of the colony, etc. Notwithstanding its variability, formic acid has been recommended for use as a component of overall mite control strategy.
For detection purposes, apply 40 ml (1.5 oz) of 65% concentration formic acid liquid onto several layers of paper towels placed on the top bars of the upper brood chamber. Use enough paper towels to prevent acid from dripping. Install a sticky board and check after 24 hours.
Note: Do not apply Coumaphos, Apistan, formic acid or other chemicals to a hive when honey supers are in place. Use the Alcohol Wash, Ether Roll or Icing Sugar Roll method instead.
Mite Level Determination: Multiply the number of mites on a board by 6.
This method is simple, quick and quite accurate when applied to a larger number of colonies in the apiary. It doesn't require a second visit after 24 hours. The test is carried out as follows:
Mite Level Determination:
No Brood: Multiply by 100 to estimate the total Varroa mite
population.
Plenty of Brood: Multiply by 600.
This test is simple but less accurate than the Alcohol Wash method because it is more difficult to obtain an accurate count of the number of mites in the sample.
Mite Level Determination:
No Brood: Multiply by 100 to estimate the total Varroa mite
population.
Plenty of Brood: Multiply by 600.
Instead of Ether Roll where all the bees are killed, icing sugar can be used.
Procedure is as follows:
Mite Level Determination: When 5 mites or more are counted, treat the colonies.
After determining an estimate of the total number of mites in a colony, it must be decided if and when to treat. In the spring, before honey supers are in place, or in the fall, when honey supers have been removed, treat when 15 mites or more are counted.
When honey supers are in place, use the following guidelines:
| # Mites/Col. | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| less than 100 |
|
| 100 - 999 |
|
| 1000 mites + |
|
For more information on Varroa Control Methods, refer to Factsheet #221.
03/12
