When to treat bees for ticks in spring? - briefly
Apply acaricide when the first brood emerges and ambient temperatures consistently exceed 10 °C, typically in early to mid‑April, before tick activity reaches its peak. Treat prior to full colony activation to prevent infestation.
When to treat bees for ticks in spring? - in detail
Treating honey‑bee colonies for varroa mites in the spring requires coordination with brood cycles, climate conditions, and treatment efficacy. The optimal window occurs after the first significant brood break but before the colony reaches peak population.
- Late February to early March (northern latitudes): Temperatures consistently rise above 10 °C, brood rearing resumes, and mites begin to reproduce. Apply a short‑acting acaricide at this stage to target emerging mites while minimizing exposure to brood.
- Mid‑March to early April (mid‑latitude regions): Monitor hive inspections for the presence of capped brood and mite counts. When mite levels exceed 3 % of the adult population, administer a treatment that penetrates the wax cappings.
- April to early May (southern latitudes): Colonies may have already expanded. Use a treatment with a longer residual effect to cover multiple mite generations before the summer surge.
Key considerations for timing:
- Brood interruption: Treatments that lack brood penetration are ineffective while eggs and larvae are present. Schedule applications during a natural or induced brood break.
- Temperature thresholds: Most chemical treatments require ambient temperatures above 15 °C to ensure proper distribution and bee activity.
- Mite monitoring: Use a sugar roll or sticky board assay weekly. Initiate treatment once counts rise above the economic threshold for the region.
- Residue management: Allow a minimum of 14 days between treatment and honey harvest to meet residue regulations.
By aligning the application with these seasonal markers, beekeepers can reduce mite populations before they reach damaging levels, support colony health, and comply with food safety standards.