How to delete mites from bees? - briefly
Apply approved acaricides—oxalic acid vapor, formic acid pads, or thymol strips—according to label dosages and rotate treatments to avoid resistance. Monitor mite levels regularly with sticky boards or sugar shakes to time interventions precisely.
How to delete mites from bees? - in detail
Effective mite control requires accurate colony assessment, timely treatment, and ongoing monitoring. Initial evaluation should include a sample of approximately 300 adult workers, shaken in alcohol or examined with a sugar roll to determine infestation levels. Thresholds of 3 % for strong colonies and 5 % for weak colonies guide the decision to intervene.
Chemical options fall into three categories:
- Synthetic acaricides – Amitraz, fluvalinate, and coumaphos are applied as strips or vaporized solutions. Rotate active ingredients annually to delay resistance. Follow label‑specified dosage, placement, and withdrawal periods.
- Organic acids – Oxalic acid (sublimation or dribble) targets mites on adult bees. Apply during brood‑less periods or early spring when brood is minimal. Formic acid (22 % gel or pads) penetrates capped brood; maintain hive temperature between 20–25 °C to avoid queen loss.
- Essential oil products – Thymol formulations act on mites in brood and adult phases. Use in late summer when brood is present; rotate with another chemistry in the same year.
Non‑chemical strategies complement treatments:
- Screened bottom boards – Provide a mesh floor that facilitates mite fall‑out; replace with a solid board during winter to retain heat.
- Drone brood removal – Encourage bees to raise extra drone cells, then extract and freeze the capped drone brood, eliminating a large proportion of the parasite.
- Hygienic bee selection – Incorporate colonies with demonstrated brood‑removal behavior; such lines reduce mite reproduction without chemicals.
Integrated pest management (IPM) merges these tactics. After each treatment, reassess mite levels using sticky boards or alcohol washes. Document dates, products, and results to refine future schedules. Maintain colony strength through adequate nutrition and queen replacement, as healthy bees better tolerate infestations and recover from interventions.