For beekeepers in NSW, managing Varroa mite in hives is a whole new skillset to learn. Find the range of support materials to help you build your knowledge on dealing with Varroa mite.
Managing Varroa mite is more than just applying miticide strips within a hive. Integrated pest management (known as IPM) uses a variety of techniques to keep Varroa mite numbers below a level where they cause economic damage to the colony and beekeeper.
IPM involves:
Watch the video on integrated pest management when dealing with Varroa mite in your hives
This introduction to Integrated Pest Management walks through the practical steps beekeepers can take to find, minimise, and either prevent, eradicate, or manage pests and diseases in their colonies.
(For PDF Varroa management Primefact View or download here)
APVMA approved miticide treatments are now commercially available from retailers in NSW.
What do I need to do?
Recommended treatment thresholds by colony phase
Colony phase | Wait - immediate control not needed | Urgent - Control immediately |
---|---|---|
Dormant (broodless period) | Under 1% (less than 3 mites found) | Over 1% (3-5 mites found) |
Population increase (typically spring) | Under 2% (5 or less mites found) | Over 2-3% (6-9 mites found) |
Peak population (typically summer) | Under 3% (9 or less mites found) | Over 3% (9+ mites found) |
Population decrease (typically autimn) | Under 2% (5 or less mites found) | Over 2-3% (6-9+ mites found) |