New Honey Bee Health Guide on Varroa Mite Management

The Honey Bee Health Coalition has jut released the ninth edition of its Tools for Varroa Management Guide. The guide provides information on the latest tools and options for beekeepers in the U.S. and Canada to keep bees healthy and manage varroa mites, which spread disease within and among honey bee colonies.

A team of beekeepers, entomologists, Extension agents, apiary inspectors, and federal regulators collaborated to bring the guide up to date with the latest changes in best practices and treatment options. The latest edition has been completely revised to reflect the most current scientific understanding of varroa biology, monitoring methods, and control strategies available.

Varroa mites represent one of the greatest threats to honey bee health, honey production, and pollination services. Untreated or ineffectively treated colonies can fail, causing economic losses to beekeepers and potentially impacting agricultural food production. Colonies infested with varroa are also a potential source of mites and diseases that can spread to other colonies and apiaries.

Effective varroa control will reduce colony losses and avoid the potential spread of infectious disease among honey bee colonies. The Tools for Varroa Management Guide explains practical, effective methods that beekeepers can employ to measure varroa infestations in their hives and select the most appropriate control methods for their operation.

For more information, visit honeybeehealthcoalition.org.