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Varroa Mite Management in the UK – Practical Overview

Close-up of varroa mites on a honey bee used to illustrate mite identification

Varroa destructor is one of the most important health challenges facing honey bees in the UK. Learning how to treat varroa mites, when to monitor and how to plan seasonal control is now a standard part of responsible beekeeping. This page brings together the key concepts in one place so you can link them to your hive management and record-keeping.

Quick symptom guide: Deformed wings, poor flyers or late-season dwindling? Use the Bee Health Checker and then confirm with mite monitoring.
Download printable checker (Word/PDF)
Key idea: there is no single “varroa fix”. Effective varroa management in the UK combines regular monitoring, timely treatments, good hygiene, and a seasonal plan that fits your bees and your local conditions.
Varroa guides (recommended reading order):

What Is Varroa Mite?

Varroa destructor is a parasitic mite that feeds on honey bees and their developing brood. It originally evolved on Asian honey bees and has now spread widely in Apis mellifera colonies, including throughout the UK. Untreated, varroa and the viruses associated with it can kill colonies.

Varroa mites are reddish-brown, oval and about the size of a pin head. They use bees as transport and as a food source. Mites reproduce inside sealed brood cells, where they feed on developing pupae and emerge with the newly hatched bees to continue their life cycle.

Because varroa is present in most UK apiaries, the question is not “do I have varroa?”, but “how many mites do I have and what am I doing about them?”.

Understanding the Varroa Life Cycle (and Why Timing Matters)

Managing varroa mites in the UK is much easier when you understand how the mite lives and reproduces. Varroa has two main phases: a travelling phase on adult bees, and a breeding phase hidden inside capped brood. This is why timing matters so much — a large proportion of mites can be “protected” inside sealed cells at certain times of year.

Phoretic phase (on adult bees)

In the phoretic phase, varroa mites hitch a ride on adult bees. They feed primarily on the bee’s fat bodies, weakening bees and increasing the impact of viruses. During this phase mites can move around the colony and spread between colonies through drifting bees, robbing, swarming, and the movement of bees or equipment.

Reproductive phase (inside capped brood)

Varroa populations grow fastest when mites are reproducing. A mature female mite enters a brood cell shortly before it is capped. Once the cell is sealed, she lays eggs and the offspring develop alongside the developing bee. When the adult bee emerges, the mother mite (and often mature daughters) leave the cell and return to adult bees, ready to repeat the cycle.

Why this matters: mites inside capped brood are harder to reach. This is why some approaches work best when there is little or no sealed brood (for example during natural broodless periods or planned brood breaks), and why monitoring trends across the season is so important.

Why mites prefer drone brood

Varroa mites often prefer drone brood because drones take longer to develop than workers. The extra time under the capping gives mites more opportunity to produce mature offspring before the bee emerges. This helps explain why drone brood removal (sometimes called drone brood trapping) can reduce mite reproduction as part of an integrated pest management (IPM) approach.

Varroa life cycle overview (and how it links to timing, brood and control)
Stage Where the mite is What’s happening Why it matters for management
Phoretic (travelling) On adult bees Mites feed and move around the colony, transferring between bees. Some monitoring reflects this phase. It also explains why mites can spread between colonies through drift, robbing and swarms.
Cell entry At brood cells A mature female enters a larval cell shortly before capping. Once capped, mites become harder to reach. High brood levels can “hide” a large proportion of the mite population.
Reproductive (breeding) Inside capped brood Eggs are laid and offspring develop while the bee develops. This is where mite numbers rise quickly. Brood breaks and biotechnical methods reduce breeding opportunities.
Emergence Back on adult bees Mother mite (and often mature daughters) leave with the emerging bee. Populations can climb fast during periods of heavy brood rearing — especially late summer when winter bees are being raised.
Drone brood advantage Drone cells (capped longer) Drones take longer to develop than workers. Longer capped time supports mite reproduction — explaining why drone brood removal can help as part of IPM.
Safety note: This section explains the biology behind timing. For any treatment, always follow the product label and check current UK guidance (for example BeeBase / National Bee Unit) before acting.

How Varroa Spreads Between Colonies

Varroa mites move around both within an apiary and across the wider landscape. Understanding the main routes helps you make sense of why mite levels can change quickly.

  • Drifting bees: bees that accidentally enter nearby hives can carry mites with them.
  • Robbing: when stronger colonies rob from weaker ones, mites can transfer along with the honey.
  • Swarming and absconding: swarms and moved colonies take mites to new locations.
  • Movement of equipment: moving combs, brood or bees between colonies spreads varroa along with disease.

Good practice in hive hygiene and careful movement of frames and equipment help slow this spread, even though it cannot be stopped completely.

Signs and Symptoms of Varroa

Some signs of varroa are easy to recognise once you know what to look for. Others are more subtle and overlap with other bee health issues. Regular inspections and a good understanding of “normal” brood and adult bees are essential.

  • Mites on bees: reddish-brown mites visible on the thorax or between abdominal segments of adult bees.
  • Deformed wings: bees with shrivelled or missing wings, often linked with viruses associated with varroa.
  • Patchy brood pattern: brood areas with many empty cells, mis-shaped or sunken cappings.
  • Weak or dwindling colonies: fewer bees on combs, reduced foraging and poor build-up.
  • Increased virus problems: signs of paralysis, trembling bees or other virus symptoms may point towards high mite loads.

These signs also appear in other disease situations, so they should be interpreted alongside your varroa monitoring results and other health checks. The diseases and pests overview on this site links to more information on viral and bacterial diseases.

Monitoring Varroa – How to Measure Mite Levels

Monitoring is the foundation of good varroa management in the UK. It tells you whether mites are rising, whether a treatment worked, and when you should act. This hub page gives the overview; the detailed step-by-step methods live on the dedicated monitoring page.

Dedicated guide: for practical “how to” instructions (including what you need, how to take a sample, and how to interpret results), see Varroa Monitoring Methods.

If you only do one thing as a new beekeeper, do this: monitor before you treat, then monitor again afterwards so you know whether your plan is working.

  • Quick checks during inspections: visual signs, patchy brood, deformed wings (useful but not enough on their own).
  • Count-based methods: sugar roll, alcohol wash, sticky board / drop count.
  • Brood checks: drone brood uncapping to spot heavy reproduction.

To plan what “good timing” looks like across the season, use the Varroa Treatment Calendar alongside your Year in the Apiary pages.

Varroa Thresholds and Seasonal Planning in the UK

Thresholds are guideline levels at which action is recommended. Exact numbers vary by method and season, but the principle is simple: monitor → compare with guidance → decide on action. This helps avoid random treatments and keeps your plan consistent year to year.

Important: always check current official guidance and product information before deciding on thresholds or treatments. The National Bee Unit and BeeBase provide up-to-date UK information.

In most UK apiaries, late summer / early autumn is the key period because it affects the winter bees. Many beekeepers also plan a suitable winter approach when there is little or no brood. The exact “what and when” depends on your monitoring results.

For a practical month-by-month timing guide (and common pitfalls), see Varroa Treatment Calendar.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for Varroa Mites

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) means using a mix of methods so you are not relying on one product or one idea. For varroa, IPM usually includes:

  • Regular monitoring using one or more methods.
  • Good hive hygiene, comb renewal and sensible movement of frames.
  • Seasonal planning so actions are timed when they are most effective.
  • Appropriate, approved treatments when needed.
  • Non-chemical (biotechnical) methods such as drone brood removal or brood breaks, where suitable.

If you want the practical “what to do” version (with pros/cons and how to fit it into inspections), use the dedicated page: Non-Chemical Varroa Control (IPM Methods).

Treatment Options – Where to Start

Safety note: this is a general overview. Always use only approved products, read the label, observe withdrawal periods, and check current UK guidance before use.

This hub page keeps treatment detail light on purpose. Most readers do better with one clear pathway depending on the approach they’re taking:

If you want printable versions to keep in the shed, visit Free Downloads.

Best next step: pair your chosen approach with monitoring and a simple treatment calendar so you’re not guessing.

Common Mistakes New Beekeepers Make with Varroa

Even experienced beekeepers occasionally slip up with varroa. Being aware of typical mistakes can help you avoid them.

  • Relying on visual checks only: not using monitoring methods and assuming “no obvious mites” means “no problem”.
  • Treating at random: using products without linking them to monitoring results or seasonal plans.
  • Ignoring product instructions: guessing doses, timings or conditions instead of following the label.
  • Reusing old comb indefinitely: never renewing comb, which can add to disease and pesticide residues.
  • Moving infested frames between colonies: spreading mites and disease around the apiary.
Tip: linking your varroa monitoring and treatments to written records – whether in a notebook or a digital tool – makes it much easier to see patterns and avoid repeated mistakes.

Using Records and Tools Like HiveTag for Varroa Management

Varroa management works best when it is part of your overall hive record system. Notes on monitoring, treatment dates, products used and observed effects help you make better decisions next year.

Varroa treatments are veterinary medicines – keep records:

Many varroa controls are classed as veterinary medicines. In the UK, keep a clear record of what you used, which hive was treated, the date(s), dose/quantity, and any withdrawal period or honey-handling notes. A practical rule is to retain these records for at least five years.

See: Veterinary Medicine Records for a simple checklist and a downloadable record template.

Some beekeepers like paper records in the apiary; others prefer digital tools. The HiveTag web app is designed to make it easy to record inspections, varroa checks and treatments on a phone or tablet, so you always know what was done and when.

Whatever method you use, the aim is the same: clear, simple records that help you keep bees healthy for the long term.

Frequently Asked Questions – Varroa Management

  • Is it possible to keep bees in the UK without varroa?
    In most areas, varroa is now well established. Completely varroa-free colonies are rare, so beekeepers generally focus on managing mite levels rather than trying to keep colonies completely free forever.
  • How often should I treat for varroa?
    There is no single schedule that suits everyone. Many UK beekeepers plan treatments around late summer and mid-winter, based on monitoring results and current guidance. Over-treating or under-treating can both cause problems.
  • Can I skip treatment if my colony looks strong?
    A colony can look strong while carrying a heavy mite load. Monitoring gives a clearer picture than appearance alone. Skipping treatment without monitoring risk can put bees under serious pressure.
  • Does varroa only affect weak colonies?
    Strong colonies can also be badly affected by varroa, especially when mite levels rise late in the season. Healthy, well managed colonies may cope better, but they are not immune.
  • Will treating once solve the varroa problem?
    Varroa management is ongoing. A single treatment might reduce mites, but without follow-up monitoring and future planning, levels can quickly climb again.
  • Do I need different varroa strategies for different apiaries?
    Possibly. Differences in forage, local conditions, colony density and neighbouring beekeeping practices can all influence how quickly varroa spreads and how you plan control.
  • Can varroa mites develop resistance to treatments?
    Yes, resistance to some treatment types has been recorded in various areas. Following guidance, rotating treatments sensibly and avoiding under-dosing helps slow resistance development.
  • Does good nutrition help bees cope with varroa?
    Strong colonies with good forage often cope better with stress, including varroa and associated viruses. Linking varroa management with good forage and adequate feeding is therefore important.
  • Should I ask for help if I am unsure?
    Yes. Local beekeeping associations, mentors and bee inspectors are there to help. Bringing frames to a training session or asking for a visit can make varroa management feel much less daunting.
  • Do I need to record varroa treatments, and how long should I keep the record?
    Yes. Many varroa products are veterinary medicines, so keep a simple treatment log (product, date(s), hive ID, quantity/dose, batch number if shown, and any withdrawal period notes) and retain it for at least five years. See Veterinary Medicine Records.
  • Where can I read more about bee diseases as a whole?
    The Bee Diseases and Pests section of this site links to pages on bacterial diseases, viral problems, pests, mites and other conditions so you can build a complete picture of honey bee health.