Varroa Treatment Calendar (UK) – Seasonal Plan & Timing Guide
This page gives a practical way to plan when to monitor and treat varroa across a UK beekeeping season, without repeating every detail from the specialist pages.
If you haven’t already, start with monitoring methods, then use this calendar to decide what to do next.
Quick links: start with Varroa Management, then use the specialist pages:
chemical treatments,
non-chemical methods and
PPE & safety. Printable PDFs are on Free Downloads.
A realistic UK treatment calendar (principles first)
There isn’t one perfect calendar for every apiary. A good varroa treatment calendar is built around:
- Monitoring: use a method you trust to see trends (see monitoring methods).
- Season: late summer is often the key window because it affects the bees that will overwinter.
- Brood: when brood is present, many mites are inside capped cells and harder to reach.
- Safety: always follow product labels and use appropriate PPE (see PPE for varroa treatments).
Important: this page is a planning guide. It does not replace product instructions or current UK advice (BeeBase / National Bee Unit). Temperature ranges and honey-super rules vary by treatment.
Example varroa calendar for UK beekeepers
This example is designed to help you think through timing. Adjust for your local conditions, colony strength and the treatments you are using.
| Season | What to do | Why it matters | Helpful links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (build-up) | Monitor trends; consider biotechnical options if suitable (e.g. drone brood trapping). | Early control can reduce the rate of population growth into summer. | Monitoring • Non-chemical IPM |
| Summer (honey flow) | Keep monitoring; avoid treatments that conflict with supers or conditions. | Maintains awareness while keeping honey handling clean and safe. | Varroa hub |
| Late summer / early autumn | Main treatment window after supers are removed; re-check afterwards. | Protects the winter bee generation from high mite/virus pressure. | Chemical • PPE |
| Autumn (before winter) | Confirm mite levels are under control; tidy records and plan next season. | Prevents a “quiet failure” where colonies look fine but are carrying damaging mite loads. | Medicine records • Downloads |
| Winter (broodless periods) | Where appropriate, consider a broodless-window approach and record outcomes. | Some strategies work best when little/no sealed brood is present. | Varroa hub |
How to choose a plan that fits your apiary
Think of your plan as a “monitor → act → confirm” loop:
- Monitor using one consistent method (or two, if you like).
- Act when levels are rising or guidance suggests treatment is needed.
- Confirm by monitoring again after the treatment window.
Use a mix of approaches where appropriate:
- See non-chemical IPM methods for biotechnical options.
- See chemical treatment types for seasonal constraints and resistance awareness.
- Use PPE and safety guidance whenever handling treatments.
Record keeping and downloads
Keeping records makes your calendar easier next year. Record:
- Monitoring method and result
- Treatment type used (if any), dates and notes
- Any withdrawal period / honey handling notes
Printable PDFs: grab the checklists and summaries on Free Downloads, and keep your veterinary medicine records up to date via Veterinary Medicine Records.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the most important time to treat varroa in the UK?
Often late summer / early autumn after supers are removed, because varroa levels then can heavily affect the winter bee generation. Monitoring helps confirm what your colonies need. - Do I have to treat every year?
Most UK beekeepers plan some form of varroa control each year, but the exact approach depends on monitoring, colony conditions and local guidance. - Can I treat while honey supers are on?
It depends on the product and label instructions. Many treatments have restrictions around honey supers, so always follow the label and current UK guidance. - Why do broodless periods matter?
When there is little or no sealed brood, more mites are on adult bees and easier to reach. Some strategies are designed around these windows. - How do I avoid treatment resistance?
Avoid under-dosing, follow label instructions, and use a sensible rotation of treatment types where guidance recommends it. Monitoring and good timing reduce unnecessary treatments. - Where should I keep my records?
Any clear system works: notebook, spreadsheet, or an app. Keep records of monitoring and treatments, and retain veterinary medicine records where applicable.