- Compared to the size of the host (bee), varroa mites are one of the largest parasites on the planet, like a basketball sized tick on a human.... scary
- Natural parasite to an Asian species of honey bee, not American
- Varroa Mites have a special apparatus they stick out of the Royal jelly to breath when they are waiting for the larva to be covered
Next time I'm in the apiary I will look for any bees with deformed wings, to make sure they are not carrying deform wing virus.
Questions:
What other viruses can varroa mites transmit to honey bees?
What is the most effective way to get rid of varroa mites?
Organic beekeepers say they can get rid of varroa using baking sugar. It is supposed to make the bees clean themselves which knocks off the varroa.
ReplyDeleteAt the last meeting of the Richmond bee club many of the commercial beekeepers advised us that baking sugar doesn't do a good enough job and you need to use oxalic acid, formic acid, apistan, or some other super-harsh chemicals.
Some people now are saying to let the varroa do their thing and eventually a breed of bee will emerge that is resistant. This is all well and good, but it gets expensive!!