{"id":7750,"date":"2025-07-19T14:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-19T13:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/?p=7750"},"modified":"2025-09-03T21:33:40","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T20:33:40","slug":"varroa-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/?p=7750","title":{"rendered":"<p style=\"color: blue;\">Varroa update<\/p>"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style>\r\nh2, h3, h4 {color: green;}\r\n.edr { color: red; }\r\n.edb { color: blue; }\r\n.edg { color: green; }\r\n.edrb { color: red; font-weight: bold; }\r\n.edgb { color: green; font-weight: bold; }\r\n.edrbc { color: red; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;}\r\n.edgbc { color: green; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;}\r\n.outline {border:2px solid black;}\r\n<\/style>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Varroa: a problem or not, how do I know, and what to do about it.<br>Plus: an overview of the Asian hornet threat.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A talk by Nigel Boulton and John Badley<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A quick reminder of the life cycle of the Varroa mite will set the scene for the talk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A fertile female mite will enter a larval cell just before the cell is capped. This can be either a worker or a drone cell, with a preference for drone.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The mite punctures the larva to feed on the bee&#8217;s fat body.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The mite  lays one male egg followed by several female eggs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When mature, the male mite mates with the females.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The bee and mature, fertile female mites emerge and the mites start the cycle again.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"edr\">\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>CHEMICAL TREATMENT PHASE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Varroa were found in the UK in Devon in 1992, over 30 years ago.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We used Apistan and Bayvarol synthetic pyrethroid strips to achieve 99+% kill.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Feral colonies disappeared.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Resistance to pyrethroids built up within 10 years (as predicted).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"edb\">\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT PHASE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The NBU instigated a change to Integrated Pest Management, using biotechnical, management and chemical controls.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This has worked well for most people, with fewer chemicals being used.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>More feral colonies are surviving.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Generally, there are lower mite counts in colonies than there used to be. The bees are learning to fight the mite!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Deformed wing virus (DWV)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The image shows a bee with DWV as a result of virus transmission by the varroa mite. \u00a9 Crown copyright <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"572\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Varroa-update-2024-DWV.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9294\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Varroa-update-2024-DWV.png 684w, https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Varroa-update-2024-DWV-300x251.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 684px) 100vw, 684px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"edg\">\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>WHAT NOW?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Help bees to help themselves by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Breaks in brood production e.g., via swarm prevention or swarm control management. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Warm hives favour bees and disadvantage mites. See Addendum.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Breed from feral swarms as they are likely to have hygienic behaviour (use a quarantine apiary).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Continue to monitor mite levels.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Try to use management and biotechnical methods only.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Only treat when necessary with approved treatments.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid synthetic chemical treatments that tend to be persistent.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Integrated Pest Management<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1098\" height=\"654\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IPM-2025.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11128\" style=\"width:600px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IPM-2025.png 1098w, https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IPM-2025-300x179.png 300w, https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IPM-2025-1024x610.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IPM-2025-768x457.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1098px) 100vw, 1098px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Open mesh floors<\/strong> can be used all year round, with or without a tray.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Drone brood removal<\/strong> can be used in April\/May. A super frame placed at the edge of a brood box will stimulate  drone brood production in early April. You probably only need to remove drone brood once a year.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Artificial swarm management<\/strong> from April to June will induce a brood break in at least part of the colony. <strong>Shook swarm procedures<\/strong> (March to May) will force a brood break and leave most of the mites behind in the abandoned comb.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Queen comb trapping<\/strong> in July is an efficient way to reduce mite numbers but requires several visits to the apiary.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All of these techniques are described in the free NBU .PDF file <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalbeeunit.com\/assets\/PDFs\/3_Resources_for_beekeepers\/Advisory_leaflets\/APHA_Managing_Varroa_2020_ELECTRONIC_ONLY-1.pdf\">Varroa Management<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Further information on using artificial swarms for varroa control can be found in the NBU leaflet <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Fact_25_Using_Artificial_Swarms_for_Varroa_Control.pdf\">Using artificial swarms for varroa control<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Also read the BBKA article &#8216;<strong>How to monitor and manage Varroa<\/strong>&#8216; from the <strong>February 2025 edition, page 10<\/strong>, available on the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/bbkanews.com\/\">BBKA <em>News<\/em> website<\/a><\/strong>. You will need your BBKA membership number and your postcode to access the site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">VMD Approved Treatments 2025<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Veterinary Medicines Directorate lists 15 approved varroa treatments for use in England. They are listed below based on the active ingredient(s).<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1055\" height=\"715\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/VMD-approced-2025.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11129\" style=\"width:600px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/VMD-approced-2025.png 1055w, https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/VMD-approced-2025-300x203.png 300w, https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/VMD-approced-2025-1024x694.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/VMD-approced-2025-768x520.png 768w, https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/VMD-approced-2025-75x50.png 75w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1055px) 100vw, 1055px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The smiley faces indicate acceptability, based on the opinions of local beekeepers. <br>Thymol is acceptable but has a pungent odour which hangs around for a long time in the hive. <br>Apistan and Amitraz are synthetic products and lead to mite resistance and residues in the hive.<br>The literature says oxalic acid is unlikely to prompt resistance and the dose given by the dribble method is proportional to the size of the colony, reducing the problem of overdosing. <br>Formic acid treatment often makes the queen go off lay (or even disappear). It is strong enough to corrode the metal parts of your hives e.g., metal mesh floors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You are legally obliged to keep a record of any approved treatments used on honey bees for a period of 5 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><mark style=\"background-color:#000000\" class=\"has-inline-color has-white-color\">Always follow the instructions as to when and how to use these approved products.<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Counting mites<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The group discussed mite counting in detail. Methods touched upon were drone brood removal with uncapping fork, varroa mesh floors with an insert tray and the icing sugar roll method. Mesh floor inserts were thought to be the easiest for beginners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Addendum &#8211; Warmer hives<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:37% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"812\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Insulation-cube1-812x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7757 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Insulation-cube1-812x1024.png 812w, https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Insulation-cube1-238x300.png 238w, https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Insulation-cube1-768x968.png 768w, https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Insulation-cube1-1219x1536.png 1219w, https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Insulation-cube1.png 1425w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 812px) 100vw, 812px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Polystyrene hives are gaining in popularity as a warmer option for bees at any time of year. WBC hives are also claimed to be better for overwintering colonies. You can make your own insulated roof using 75mm thick building insulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Offcuts can be glued together with modern contact adhesives to produce a cube-shape with no base. Paint with exterior wall paint to make it last longer. The cube should be big enough to slide easily over your hive (without your normal roof) but not to cover the entrance. Use a mesh floor. The bees will thrive despite the fact that there is no top ventilation!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Addendum &#8211; Varroa mesh floors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:55% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"353\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Varroa-mesh-floor-and-tray-600.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9304 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Varroa-mesh-floor-and-tray-600.png 600w, https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Varroa-mesh-floor-and-tray-600-300x177.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The drawing gives rough sizes for making your own varroa mesh floor and tray. Note that the space between the mesh and tray needs to be several centimetres so that live mites that have fallen through the mesh cannot crawl back into the hive.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Asian hornet update<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Identification, Life Cycle and Nest Destruction<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Asian-hornet-ID.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7740\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Asian-hornet-ID.png 600w, https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Asian-hornet-ID-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Asian hornet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"374\" height=\"397\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/European-hornet.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7741\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/European-hornet.png 374w, https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/European-hornet-283x300.png 283w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 374px) 100vw, 374px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">European hornet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image outline\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Asian-hornet-life-cycle.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7742\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Asian-hornet-life-cycle.png 600w, https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Asian-hornet-life-cycle-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Asian hornet lifecycle is longer than the  European hornet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Professor Stephen Martin argues that the only proven method of hornet control is colony discovery and destruction. Neither task is easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\"><strong>Never attempt to remove or kill an Asian hornet nest yourself.<\/strong><\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If things go wrong you put yourself and others in grave danger, even of being killed as has happened in France. Further information on the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/?page_id=427\"><strong>EDBK website Asian hornet page<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<script>\nconst scrollToTop = () => {\n\nwindow.scroll({\n    top: 0, \n    left: 0, \n    behavior: 'smooth' \n});\n};\n<\/script>\n<input type=\"button\" value=\"Scroll to top\" onclick=\"scrollToTop()\">","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Varroa: a problem or not, how do I know, and what to do about it.Plus: an overview of the Asian hornet threat. A talk by Nigel Boulton and John Badley A quick reminder of the life cycle of the Varroa mite will set the scene for the talk. CHEMICAL TREATMENT PHASE INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT PHASE [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7750","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reports"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Varroa update - East Devon Beekeepers<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"July 19, 2025 - Is Varroa still a problem or not? If it is, what can we do about it? 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