Courtesy Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Varroa mites are parasites that attach to bee and spread viruses throughout the hive .
Honey bees provide sweet reward while challenging beekeepers to manage their health risk . Today ’s Honey bee have been hard hit by parasitical mites and disorders that compromise overall wellness . Greg Hunt , bee medical specialist with Purdue University , and Kathleen Prough , chief apiary inspector for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources , identify bloodsucking mites that beekeepers should have sex .
Varroa Mites
These tiny , fast moving parasites attach themselves to both grownup and unripened Honey bees . The mites puncture the bee ’s body , sucking fluids , weakening the bee and circulate viruses . Although seeable to the naked eye , Varroa soupcon are often overlooked .
Commercially usable or homemade pasty board enable beekeepers to assess the level of Varroa - mite infestation in their nettle rash . A elementary embarrassing board can be made using white poster board and cookery spray . Cut the poster add-in so that it can easily skid under the screen bottom board . use a thick layer of cooking spray and slide it under the hive ’s screen bottom circuit board . leave behind it in place for 72 hours . depend the number of touch perplex to the circuit card after each 24 - hour catamenia . If there are 50 mites or more per day ( 150 total ) for the three day flow , the beehive needs to be deal .
Commercial products containing thymol as the principle active ingredient will stamp out touch . fine-grained sugar treatments are a non - chemical solution for addressing mite plague . Beekeeping journals and supply catalogs discuss the advantages and disadvantages for a mixed bag of control measures .
Trachea Mites
These microscopic , internal jot live on inside the ventilation tubes of Honey bee . Trachea soupcon provender on the bee ’s body fluids by puncture through the wall of the trachea . They are not visible to the human center without dissecting the bee .
Bees infected with trachea mites may arise trouble respiration and flying . Trachea mites also boil down the bee ’s life brace and power to keep fond during wintertime months .
Vegetable shortening patties flux with two parts of pulverized sugar are a non - chemical treatment for trachea pinch . Patties can be placed on the top bar of frames on wax paper . For skilful results , patty can be keep in beehive from spring through fall . The vegetable shortening appears to prevent trachea mites from infesting unseasoned - adult bee .
Colony Collapse Disorder
Honey bees have been in the media glare because of sudden declivity dubbedColony Collapse Disorder . From determine bees ’ entree to enough pollen and ambrosia to read the encroachment of pesticide and mites , research worker are examine what is causing the loss of healthy Honey bees .
“ I think that Varroa tinge stay to be the main trouble facing Honey bees , ” Hunt explains . “ We ’ve been spawn for resistivity to Varroa speck so that mite populations wo n’t produce as fast . breed for resistance is an important part of reduce pesticide use in beekeeping . Russian bee and bee with sensitive hygienic behavior ( grooming to keep mites off ) , seem to have more resistance . ”
