Documenting my Varroa management plan and its implementation in the Australian ecosystem.
Single-Target Acaracide Resistance in Varroa
Earlier this year, Australia recorded its first case of flumethrin-resistant mites in northern New South Wales, and this same population later tested positive to amitraz a non-pyrethroid acaracide. Does this mean these treatments are ineffective
Varroa-Sensitive Hygiene & The Basis of Natural Resistance
Hygiene is defined as the removal of dead or injured brood to defend against diseases and parasites of the colony. Varroa-Sensitive Hygiene (VSH) is the selective breeding of bees with the ability to self-manage Varroa
Absconding Colonies: Survival Outside the Hive
This is a followup investigation to my winter hive deaths. My three colonies are no more, having absconded from severe Varroa infestation. Absconding is when the colony quietly leaves the hive in search of a
8 Weeks After Flumethrin Treatment
Several months back I wrote about flumethrin as a Varroa mite treatment. Here I report the results of an eight week of this Bayvarol treatment on three colonies, applied during the summer of 2023-2024. Yes,
Using a Varroa Mite Sticky Board Inside Hives
For beekeepers with good eyesight, sticky boards can be used to assess the level of Varroa mites in colonies. For beekeepers with poor(er) eyesight or wanting more accurate readings, sticky boards are used alongside other
How to Check for Varroa Mites
Varroa mite checks can be simple, like the sugar shake and alcohol wash methods, or more intensive microscopic analysis. If the goal is to monitor Varroa mites for routine surveillance and treatment, then alcohol washing
Flumethrin for Varroa
For readers in Australia, Varroa mites is slowing spreading from New South Wales and into the remaining states. As of writing, surveillance teams have been deployed with sticky mats and flumethrin for Varroa screening. Yours