• Our History
  • American Bee Journal
  • Dadant Candles
  • Find A Location Near You
  • VIsit our page on Facebook
  • Keep up with us on Twitter
  • Watch our instructional and fun videos on YouTube
  • Follow us on Instagram
  • Home
  • Shop
    • 10-Frame
    • Frames
    • 8-Frame
    • Foundation
    • Specialty Hives/Items
    • Hand Tools
    • Queen Rearing
    • Smokers
    • Swarm Capture
    • Frame/Foundation Hardware
    • Hive/Honey Moving
    • Suits
    • Jackets
    • Gloves
    • Helmets
    • Veils
    • Aprons / Hats / More
    • Feeds
    • Supplements
    • Pest Control & Treatments
    • Honey Processing
    • Honey Selling
    • American Bee Journal
    • Books
    • Gifts
    • Candle Making
    • Creamed Honey
    • Beeswax
    • Wine & Mead Making
    • Lip Balm Making
    • Package Bees
    • Soap Making
    • Parts
  • Learning Center
  • News
  • Resources
  • Catalog
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Shop
  • Learning Center
  • News
  • Resources
  • Our History
  • Catalog
  • American Bee Journal
  • Dadant Candles
  • Contact

How to Check for Varroa Mites

Varroa mites can quickly become a very serious problem for bees and bee keepers. To keep your colony safe from the effects of this parasite, be sure to perform periodic inspections. Using the EasyCheck system from Véto-pharma makes the process simple and provides an accurate assessment of the infestation in a hive.

What are Varroa Mites?

Adult Varroa mites are oval and brown
Adult Varroa mite

Varroa mites are external parasites of honey bees that feed on developing brood as well as full-grown adults. In the US, these mites were first detected in Florida in the mid 1980s but are now found nation-wide. In many cases, colonies infested with Varroa mites may produce malformed brood with missing wings or legs, and parasitized adult bees are often weak and short-lived. Left untreated, infestations quickly grow out of control and may kill entire colonies.

Adult Varroa mites have eight legs, are a reddish-brown color and have an oval body typically between 1 and 1.5 mm across. While they are large enough to be seen with the naked eye, their flat shape allows them to hide between the segments of the thorax or abdomen of honey bees.

Why Should I Check for Varroa Mites?

A colony infested with Varroa mites typically produces less honey and is susceptible to secondary infections. Checking for Varroa mites is an essential part of controlling this parasite and limiting the effects on your colonies. Using the Varroa EasyCheck makes it simple to check for mites, assess the level of infestation and determine the effectiveness of treatments.

Dadant & Sons Pro Tip: Don’t wait until you see the effects of an infestation to check for Varroa mites! Detecting mites early is the best way to keep them under control. 

Primarily, mites are spread among colonies by drifting drones and workers. Occasionally, a honey bee may pick up Varroa mites when robbing smaller colonies. However, no matter how a colony becomes infected, when left untreated the mites quickly multiply within the hive.

How do I Check for Varroa Mites?

Varroa EasyCheck for assessing infestation levels of Varroa mitesWhen inspecting your hives, we suggest wearing protective clothing and using a bee smoker to help keep the colony calm.

  • First, remove the lid and add a small amount of winter windshield washer fluid (or one part rubbing alcohol diluted in four parts water) to just cover the bottom of the white collection basket.
  • Next, pull a brood frame out of your hive.

IMPORTANT!

Dadant & Sons Pro Tip: Make sure the queen is not part of your sample! We suggest locating the queen so she may be isolated and protected during this process.

  • Then, remove the white basket from the EasyCheck and collect a sample of bees from the frame. For best results, fill the basket to the indicator marks for a sample of 200 or 300 bees.
  • After returning the brood frame, place the filled basket into the EasyCheck and screw the top on the container.
  • Once that is done, gently shake the EasyCheck to immerse the sample bees in the washing fluid. This will prevent collected bees from escaping during the next step.
  • After the sample is thoroughly wet, unscrew the top and fill the EasyCheck with fluid to the indicator mark on the transparent bowl.
  • Next, replace the top and gently shake the container for 60 seconds. This allows the fluid to separate mites from the bees in your sample so they fall through the holes in the collection basket.
  • Finally, remove the basket and count the number of Varroa mites collected in the bottom of the bowl.

To see the EasyCheck in use, watch the video from Véto-pharma.

For more information on using the Varroa EasyCheck, consult the Véto-pharma Guide to Varroa mites. This in-depth publication covers the life-cycle of the Varroa mite, the best times to check your colonies and timing treatments to maximize their effectiveness.


Have questions? Give us a call at 888.922.1293 or contact the closest Dadant branch.

For beekeeping equipment and educational materials, visit our online store.

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Google Plus
  • Share by Email

Search

News Categories

  • All Insect Related
  • Bee behavior
  • Bee health
  • Beekeeper
  • Benefits of Honey
  • Education
  • Events
  • Pollination
  • Promotions
  • Recipes
  • Research
  • Tools for Beekeepers
  • Uncategorized
  • Weather

Shop Beekeeping Supplies

  • 10-Frame
  • Frames
  • 8-Frame
  • Foundation
  • Specialty Hives/Items
  • Hand Tools
  • Queen Rearing
  • Smokers
  • Swarm Capture
  • Frame/Foundation Hardware
  • Hive/Honey Moving
  • Suits
  • Jackets
  • Gloves
  • Helmets
  • Veils
  • Aprons / Hats / More
  • Feeds
  • Supplements
  • Pest Control & Treatments
  • Honey Processing
  • Honey Selling
  • American Bee Journal
  • Books
  • Gifts
  • Candle Making
  • Creamed Honey
  • Beeswax
  • Wine & Mead Making
  • Lip Balm Making
  • Package Bees
  • Soap Making
  • Parts

Recent Posts

  • Complex Learned Social Behavior Discovered
    in Bee’s ‘Waggle Dance’
  • Apimondia Cancels Russia Congress
  • 2022 Package Bees Shipped Direct to Your Local Post Office
  • Krispn Given receives Purdue’s “Behind the Research” honor
  • Size Matters for Bee ‘Superorganism’ Colonies

Recent Comments

    Archives

    • March 2023
    • March 2022
    • January 2022
    • November 2021
    • October 2021
    • September 2021
    • June 2021
    • February 2021
    • January 2021
    • December 2020
    • September 2020
    • August 2020
    • July 2020
    • June 2020
    • May 2020
    • March 2020
    • February 2020
    • December 2019
    • October 2019
    • September 2019
    • August 2019
    • June 2019
    • May 2019
    • April 2019
    • March 2019
    • November 2018
    • September 2018
    • July 2018
    • June 2018
    • May 2018
    • April 2018
    • March 2018
    • February 2018
    • January 2018
    • December 2017
    • October 2017
    • September 2017
    • August 2017
    • July 2017
    • June 2017
    • May 2017
    • April 2017
    • December 2016
    • November 2016
    • October 2016
    • September 2016
    • August 2016
    • July 2016
    • June 2016
    • May 2016
    • April 2016
    • March 2016
    • February 2016
    • January 2016
    • December 2015
    • November 2015
    • October 2015
    • September 2015
    • August 2015
    • July 2015
    • June 2015
    • May 2015
    • April 2015
    • March 2015
    • February 2015
    • January 2015
    • December 2014
    • November 2014
    • October 2014
    • September 2014
    • August 2014
    • July 2014
    • June 2014
    • May 2014
    • April 2014
    • March 2014
    • February 2014
    • January 2014
    • December 2013
    • November 2013
    • October 2013
    • September 2013
    • August 2013
    • July 2013
    • June 2013
    • May 2013
    • April 2013
    • March 2013
    • February 2013
    • January 2013
    • December 2012
    • November 2012
    • October 2012
    • September 2012
    • August 2012
    • July 2012
    • June 2012
    • May 2012
    • April 2012
    • February 2012
    • November 2011
    • September 2011

    Categories

    • All Insect Related
    • Bee behavior
    • Bee health
    • Beekeeper
    • Benefits of Honey
    • Education
    • Events
    • Pollination
    • Promotions
    • Recipes
    • Research
    • Tools for Beekeepers
    • Uncategorized
    • Weather
    Beekeeping & Honey Bees - Our Business Since 1863

    Corporate Office - Hamilton, Illinois

    • 217.847.3324
    • dadant@dadant.com
    • 217.847.3660
    • Toll-Free Order Line 888.922.1293
      • VIsit our page on Facebook
      • Keep up with us on Twitter
      • Watch our instructional and fun videos on YouTube
      • Follow us on Instagram

    Sign Up For Our E-News Today!

    Sign up to receive the latest news, specials and information from Dadant & Sons.




    Shop Beekeeping Supplies

    • 10-Frame
    • Frames
    • 8-Frame
    • Foundation
    • Specialty Hives/Items
    • Hand Tools
    • Queen Rearing
    • Smokers
    • Swarm Capture
    • Frame/Foundation Hardware
    • Hive/Honey Moving
    • Suits
    • Jackets
    • Gloves
    • Helmets
    • Veils
    • Aprons / Hats / More
    • Feeds
    • Supplements
    • Pest Control & Treatments
    • Honey Processing
    • Honey Selling
    • American Bee Journal
    • Books
    • Gifts
    • Candle Making
    • Creamed Honey
    • Beeswax
    • Wine & Mead Making
    • Lip Balm Making
    • Package Bees
    • Soap Making
    • Parts
    • Learning Center
    • News
    • Resources
    • Catalog
    • Our History
    • American Bee Journal
    • Dadant Candles
    • Contact
    • Dadant & Sons, Inc.
    • 51 South 2nd Street
    • Hamilton, IL 62341
    • © 2019 Dadant & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved
    • Website by CleverOgre