Keeping Your Hive Healthy: Navigating Varroa Control in Changing Times

It’s that time again—postharvest mite check! And yes, everyone lets out a collective sigh …

Treating Varroa mites is often a hot topic—not because anyone doubts the need to control them but because opinions differ on how to do it (or whether to treat at all).

The bottom line is simple: no matter your approach, controlling Varroa must be done.

You essentially have two main options:

1.     Synthetic chemicals

2.     Natural compounds

While the chart lists four methods, closer examination shows that mechanical and cultural approaches are best used alongside chemical or natural treatments. That said, some beekeepers prefer to avoid chemicals altogether and rely on mechanical and cultural methods alone—and sometimes find reasonable success that way.

So the real question is, does it work?

Up until recently, most Varroa treatments—both synthetic and natural—boasted efficacy rates above 95%, with some natural compounds reaching as high as 99%.

However, starting in late 2024 and clearly visible by early 2025, colony losses nationwide surged past 50%, and in some areas even reached 100%. Early research points to Varroa mite resistance to amitraz as a key factor. While this is concerning, it’s not surprising given how long amitraz has been widely used in the industry.

Here’s the good news: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed registering new products that bring fresh hope. These include one technical and two end-use products containing vadescana—a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) targeting Varroa mites with minimal risk to bees due to its gene specificity. Additionally, in March 2025, the EPA registered a varroacide with l-glutamic acid and plans to register a slow-release oxalic acid product by July 2025. Together, these four products represent innovative tools for managing Varroa in hives.

Past studies show that more aggressive treatments like Apivar (amitraz) can reduce colony losses by up to 47%, compared to around 31% with natural compounds. They also tend to cause less queen and colony degradation than some natural alternatives.

That said, natural compounds such as Apiguard, Formic Pro, and Oxalic Acid remain highly effective (95–99%) and have the advantage of being legally recognized as organic in the industry.

Many of these treatments use fumigant delivery systems, which can lead to issues like bearding or absconding—but for many beekeepers, these side effects don’t outweigh the benefits. Queen and brood damage have also been observed, but again, the benefits typically surpass these risks.

It’s extremely important to read every detail on the product label, especially regarding the colony’s population stage (increase, peak, decrease, dormant) and temperature limits. For example, if a treatment is approved for use at high population levels but only up to 80°F, using it on hotter days could drive your bees out or cause them to abandon the hive.

Pay close attention to these details! And always combine mechanical and cultural methods with your chosen treatment. This approach maximizes your bees’ health, maintains a strong apiary, and helps reduce the amount of chemicals—natural or synthetic—you need to apply. 

Screened vs. Solid Bottom Boards: Dr. Jamie Ellis Weighs In

Blake Shook shows us how to use drone frames as a mechanical method of Varroa control.

Takeaway

Though Varroa mites have developed resistance to amitraz, hobbyist beekeepers may still find it effective on a smaller scale. The key is to always test your colony after treatment to confirm it worked—and rotate your treatments, never using the same one twice in a row.

Blake Shook Shows How to Do a Varroa Mite Alcohol Wash

Learn more HERE!