Scientific Name – Varroa destructor and V. jacobsoni.
Varroa mites are tiny red-brown external parasites. Varroa mites feed and live on adult honey bees, they mainly feed and reproduce on larvae and pupae in the developing brood, causing malformation and weakening of honey bees as well as transmitting numerous viruses.
Reference – beeaware.org.au
What’s the difference between organic managed hives and others?
Certified organic beekeeping is different to conventional beekeeping in two significant ways –
- The botanicals our bees forage on are free from pesticide sprays.
NB – honey residue testing for Glyphosate, Amitraz is independently undertaken to certify our honey is free from miticide residues every time we extract honey.
- The treatment we use to manage varroa mite in our hives is with certified organic methods (every beekeeper in New Zealand has the fulltime job of managing this destructive parasitic bee mite fittingly known as varroa destructor. Varroa is the most damaging honey bee pest world-wide) Reference – control of varroa by Mark Goodwin. Beekeepers have been using Oxalic Acid mixed with Glycerine all over the world for many years. They have found it extremely beneficial to the health of the colony. It can be used at any time of the year and the secret to its effectiveness is to maintain regular treatments.
Oxalic acid solutions have been extensively researched and tested to maximise the results; the cardboard strips are extremely environmentally friendly when it comes time for disposal.