As the season winds down and our bees begin preparing for the colder months ahead, our priority shifts to ensuring they are strong enough to survive the winter. A big threat to that survival is the Varroa destructor mite; even if your colonies look healthy today, mite populations typically peak just as the bee population begins to decline. Left unchecked, varroa mites weaken bees’ immune systems and transmit deadly viruses that can collapse a colony before spring.
Why treat now?
- Protect winter bees: The bees being laid now are the ones responsible for keeping the queen warm all winter. They need to be mite-free and healthy.
- Stop the mite spike: Mite numbers multiply rapidly in the late summer brood.
What can you do?
- Monitor: If you are unsure if the colony needs treating, you can check the current mite levels with a powdered sugar shake.
- Treat your bees: Select an appropriate treatment based on your colony size, and the weather/temperature.
- Apply: Follow the product instructions precisely to ensure safety and effectiveness.
During treatments, remember:
- Remove the supers
- Ensure there is enough food in the brood for the treatment period
- Treat after the honey harvest and before the winter bees are raised.
- Check the weather conditions/temperatures are suitable for your chosen treatment.
Our recommended products are Formic Pro and Apiguard, both products we consider trusted, effective varroa treatments, giving options to suit your particular situation.
Formic Pro:
A fast and easy-to-apply varroa treatment: Key points:
- Fast 7 day treatment
- Active ingredient:Formic acid
- NBU recommended summer treatment period May-August
- Daytime temperature between 10° and 29.5°C
Apiguard:
A trusted, natural thymol-based solution: Key points:
- 4 week treatment
- Natural thymol-based solution
- NBU recommended late summer treatment period August-October
- Daytime temperature between 15° and 40°C
