An infestation of Varroa destructor, a tiny external parasitic mite that feeds on the fat bodies of honey bees and their brood. These mites weaken the bees, shorten their lifespans, and act as vectors for severe viral diseases like deformed wing virus, making them one of the greatest threats to commercial and hobbyist apiaries.
Heard on the job
We need to do an alcohol wash on hive four to check the varroa count before winter hits.
Insider tip
Beekeepers monitor varroa loads using sticky boards or alcohol washes, treating the hives with organic acids or miticides when the population crosses an economic threshold.
Also heard as
- varroa mite
- varroosis