Varroa mite management: powdered sugar and heat

Varroa destructor, is a global threat to honey bee health and the leading cause of honey bee (Apis mellifera) colony mortality. In the constant battle against varroa, many apiarists turn to chemicals, such as formic acid, oxalic acid, or synthetic compounds, to control mite populations and save their colonies. However, each chemical treatment option exhibits certain shortcomings. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of two organic methods of varroa mite control: powdered sugar and heat, in comparison to currently used chemical controls. Publications on these projects are being prepared.