{"id":214,"date":"2012-02-15T19:00:24","date_gmt":"2012-02-15T19:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/beehealth\/?page_id=214"},"modified":"2025-05-14T16:28:17","modified_gmt":"2025-05-14T15:28:17","slug":"varroa-mites","status":"publish","type":"disease","link":"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/disease\/varroa-mites\/","title":{"rendered":"Varroa Mites"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Globally, the varroa mite,&nbsp;<em>Varroa destructor<\/em>, is the most serious threat to the western honeybee,&nbsp;<em>Apis mellifera<\/em>. Varroa is a parasite that feeds on the bee and acts as a vector for viruses. Untreated, colonies will die in just a few years. Varroa is thought to be at the core of unexplained bee losses (Colony Collapse Disorder &#8211; CCD) across the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/blog\/beekeeper-apiguard-query\/\">Apiguard<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/blog\/beekeeper-apiguard-query\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> <\/a>and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/product\/apistan\/\">Apistan<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/product\/apistan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> <\/a>are proven treatments for varroa control.&nbsp;They can be used with&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/product\/bee-gym\/\">Bee Gym<\/a>, a device that helps bees groom themselves of varroa mites, as part of Integrated Pest Management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/product\/vita-feed-gold\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">VitaFeed Gold<\/a>&nbsp;boosts honeybee immune systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/resources\/infographics\/\">Download Vita&#8217;s free Varroa Infographic<\/a>&nbsp;from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/resources\/\">Vita Gallery<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Identifying varroa mite infestations<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"192\" height=\"125\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/wp-content\/uploads\/varroa1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-215\" title=\"varroa1\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The presence of varroa is easily overlooked by beekeepers because its red-brown colour and small size (1.5mm by 1mm) make it so difficult to see on the adult bee. Oval in shape, it is able to conceal itself in places on the adult bee where the bee finds it difficult to groom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Infested hives may seem strong and even give high honey yields \u2013 heavily infested bee colonies can bring in a good honey crop and yet be dead within weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Varroa watch list:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Examine hive floor debris for mites \u2013 purpose-made varroa floors with screens help.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In heavy infestations, mites can be seen on adult bees, on wax combs and in cells.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>As varroa is more attracted to drone brood than workers uncapping and examining samples of drone brood may be used as a diagnostic tool for varroa infestation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A sudden crash in adult bee numbers may be an indication of varroa.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bees with twisted or shrivelled wings, small abdomens or other deformities may be the result of varroa plus viral infections.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Poor general colony health and irregular brood pattern may be attributed to varroa plus attack by other disease organisms (viruses, bacteria, fungi) sometimes referred to as Parasitic Mite Syndrome or PMS.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Diagnostic treatment of the honeybee colony may be performed with approved acaricides and methods.<a name=\"Howvarroaspreads\"><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How varroa spreads<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"154\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/wp-content\/uploads\/varroa2.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-216\" title=\"varroa2\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>The origins of varroa<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The original host of the varroa mite was the Asian honeybee,&nbsp;<em>Apis cerana<\/em>, but it can tolerate varroa mite infestations because the reproductive rate of the mite is not too high (it could only reproduce in drone brood) &nbsp;and because the adult A cerana bees remove mites by grooming and cleaning behaviours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the European honeybee,\u00a0<em>Apis mellifera<\/em>, however, the varroa mite can infest both drone and worker brood and <em>A. mellifera<\/em> shows little little grooming or hygienic behaviour to get rid of the mites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Varroa jumped hosts to&nbsp;<em>A. mellifera<\/em>&nbsp;probably sometime in the early 1900s and has spread rapidly to almost all the world\u2019s beekeeping areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The spread of varroa within and between colonies<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"192\" height=\"127\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/wp-content\/uploads\/varroa4.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-217\" title=\"varroa4\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Shortly before the brood cells are to be capped, the varroa mites detach themselves from the adult bees and enter the cells and hide in the brood&nbsp;food provided by nurse bees. Once the cells are capped the young larvae ingests the brood food, liberating the mite or mites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The varroa mites then pierce the cuticle of the bee larvae and feed off the haemolymph. Only after the first blood meal can the female mite lay her eggs, which quickly hatch and infest the cell with mites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A single brood cell can contain as many as ten mites of different generations. These sucking parasites weaken the bee brood, impairing normal development. When varroa infestation is severe, worker bees and drones emerge with shortened abdomens, misshapen wings or other deformities. Young bees such as these have a brief life expectancy and are generally immediately rejected by the colony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>USDA has made an excellent ten-minute video of the life cycles of the honeybee and the varroa mite:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Why a Gold Star top bar hive?\" width=\"1333\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/aS6CeaF9MKM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Transfer of varroa between colonies of bees<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Attached to flying bees<\/strong>: Varroa mites attach themselves to the abdomen or thorax of adult bees. Spines on their legs also entwine with hairs on the body surface of the bee. Varroa mites can achieve wide geographic distribution by securing themselves underneath or between the sclerites of the bee and being carried in flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Carried by a robber bee<\/strong>: A robber bee that has been infested with varroa mites can transfer them to previously uninfested hives during robbing. A robbing bee may also become the unsuspecting host when stealing stores from an infested hive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Drifting bees<\/strong>: Varroa mites can also be transmitted during swarming or by drifting bees. Drones, in particular, can carry mites from one hive to another, sometimes over large distances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The spread of the varroa mite can be accelerated by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>migratory beekeeping<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>transfer of bees between colonies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>where a colony social structure has already been weakened by varroa, hives are more vulnerable to robber bees, which pick up and then disperse the mites to their own and other colonies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The rise of resistant varroa<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/23_apiguard-vernalis.hu_-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"23_apiguard vernalis.hu\" class=\"wp-image-6558\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/wp-content\/uploads\/23_apiguard-vernalis.hu_-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/wp-content\/uploads\/23_apiguard-vernalis.hu_-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/wp-content\/uploads\/23_apiguard-vernalis.hu_-590x590.jpg 590w, https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/wp-content\/uploads\/23_apiguard-vernalis.hu_.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>In recent years, some varroa mites have become resistant to pyrethroid treatments such as\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/product\/apistan\/\">Apistan<\/a> (in some places) but not to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/blog\/beekeeper-apiguard-query\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/blog\/beekeeper-apiguard-query\/\">Apiguard<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The development of resistance is an almost-inevitable biological phenomenon, but its progress has been hastened by poor beekeeping practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and with strict adherence to instructions on approved treatments, the risks of encouraging resistant varroa will be minimised.<a name=\"VarroaTreatments\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Varroa Treatments<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"219\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/Apistan-pouches-2-219x300.png\" alt=\"Apistan-pouches-2\" class=\"wp-image-6725\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/wp-content\/uploads\/Apistan-pouches-2-219x300.png 219w, https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/wp-content\/uploads\/Apistan-pouches-2.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 219px) 100vw, 219px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Vita\u2019s varroa mite control products are&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/product\/apistan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Apistan<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/blog\/beekeeper-apiguard-query\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/blog\/beekeeper-apiguard-query\/\">Apiguard<\/a>. &nbsp;Despite the existence of varroa resistant to pyrethroids,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/product\/apistan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Apistan<\/a>&nbsp;is still effective in many areas. A simple test will show if you have pyrethroid-resistant varroa.&nbsp;&nbsp;If many mites fall during a 24hr hive treatment with Apistan, resistance, if present will be low level, allowing good control with Apistan over a 6 week treatment period. Varroa that are resistant to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/blog\/beekeeper-apiguard-query\/\">Apiguard<\/a> are unknown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/product\/vita-feed-gold\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">VitaFeed Gold<\/a>&nbsp;can help maintain healthy colonies more likely to withstand varroa infestations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vita\u2019s research and development continues to investigate new varroa control treatments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Currently Vita is focusing on two new acaricides, one of which is a near-natural product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The stress and physical damage caused by varroa can be devastating, but their associated viral and bacterial infections are often the real cause of colony demise. Varroa acts as a vector for viruses while stress, such as poor foraging weather, lack of food, water and space, increases the vulnerability of bees to viruses and bacterial infections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While there are currently no treatments known for viral disorders in honeybees, it is possible to limit the effects of these diseases by controlling the mite populations and the contributory stress factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are several key strategies for the effective control of varroa:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1. Monitoring the infestation level of the colony.<\/strong><br>This will indicate whether the mite population is building up to levels that will harm the colony. It will also indicate if the current method of control is not proving effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2. Use a combination of methods.<\/strong><br>The most effective control of varroa can be gained by using a combination of both biomechanical methods and chemical methods. These work in different ways and can be practised at different times of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>4. Use essential oil or organic acid treatments with great care.<\/strong><br>If legal to do so, use in rotation with registered acaricide products in a concerted Integrated Pest Management strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>5. Use biomechanical methods<\/strong>.<br>Drone trapping and restricting queen movement can be a useful diagnostic and secondary control measure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>6. Use a co-ordinated approach.<\/strong><br>Developing a treatment programme with other beekeepers in the area will help reduce the likelihood of re-infestation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">More Information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list downloads-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/wp-content\/uploads\/1358-UK-YGTHB-3rd-edition3.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Download Your Guide to Healthy Beekeeping (3rd Edition)<\/a> (pdf)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/wp-content\/uploads\/Assessing-the-Toxic-Effects-of-Acaricides-by-Monitoring-the-Gravitational-Reflex-of-Varroa-destructor.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Assessing the Toxic Effects of Acaricides by Monitoring the Gravitational Reflex of Varroa destructor<\/a> (pdf)<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/wp-content\/uploads\/Chemical-Control-of-Varroa.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chemical Control of Varroa<\/a> (pdf)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/wp-content\/uploads\/Determination-of-Mite-Infestation-Intensity-Using-Natural-Mite-Fall-and-Dynamics-of-Varroa-Population-in-Northern-Africa.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Determination of Mite Infestation Intensity Using Natural Mite Fall and Dynamics of Varroa Population in Northern Africa<\/a> (pdf)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/wp-content\/uploads\/First-Experiment-of-Organic-and-Integrated-Pest-Management-against-Varroa-destructor-in-Ischli\u0301n-Region-Co\u0301rdoba-Argentina.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">First Experiment of Organic and Integrated Pest Management against Varroa destructor in Ischli\u0301n Region (Co\u0301rdoba, Argentina)<\/a> (pdf)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/wp-content\/uploads\/Monitoring-Techniques-of-Varroa-Resistance-and-Rotation-of-Varroa-Treatments2.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Monitoring Techniques of Varroa Resistance and Rotation of Varroa Treatments<\/a> (pdf)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/wp-content\/uploads\/Partial-Confinement-of-Queen-Bees-to-Control-Varroa-destructor.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Partial Confinement of Queen Bees to Control Varroa destructor<\/a> (pdf)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/wp-content\/uploads\/Potential-of-Destruxins-from-Metarrhizium-anisopliae-for-the-Control-of-the-Honeybee-Parasitic-Mite-Varroa-destructor.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Potential of Destruxins from Metarrhizium anisopliae for the Control of the Honeybee Parasitic Mite Varroa destructor<\/a> (pdf)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/wp-content\/uploads\/Temperature-Monitoring-of-a-Bee-Colony-During-the-Summer-Period.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Temperature Monitoring of a Bee Colony During the Summer Period<\/a> (pdf)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/wp-content\/uploads\/The-Efficacy-of-Dusting-Honeybee-Colonies-with-Powdered-Sugar-to-Reduce-Varroa-Mite-Populations.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Efficacy of Dusting Honeybee Colonies with Powdered Sugar to Reduce Varroa Mite Populations<\/a> (pdf)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/wp-content\/uploads\/Application-Study-Hop-Acids-to-Control-Varroosis-Colony-Trials.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Application Study &#8211; Hop Acids to Control Varroosis &#8211; Colony Trials<\/a> (pdf)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Globally, the varroa mite, Varroa destructor, is the most serious threat to the western honeybee. Varroa is a parasite that feeds on the bee and acts as a vector for viruses. Untreated, colonies will die in just a few years. Varroa is thought to be at the core of unexplained bee losses (Colony Collapse Disorder) across the world.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1507,"featured_media":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","tags":[],"class_list":["post-214","disease","type-disease","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Varroa Mites - Vita Bee Health<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/disease\/varroa-mites\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Varroa Mites - Vita Bee Health\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Globally, the varroa mite, Varroa destructor, is the most serious threat to the western honeybee. 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Varroa is thought to be at the core of unexplained bee losses (Colony Collapse Disorder) across the world.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/disease\/varroa-mites\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Vita Bee Health\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/VitaBeeHealth\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-05-14T15:28:17+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/wp-content\/uploads\/varroa1.jpeg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"192\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"125\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@VitaBeeHealth\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vita-europe.com\\\/beehealth\\\/disease\\\/varroa-mites\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vita-europe.com\\\/beehealth\\\/disease\\\/varroa-mites\\\/\",\"name\":\"Varroa Mites - Vita Bee Health\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vita-europe.com\\\/beehealth\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vita-europe.com\\\/beehealth\\\/disease\\\/varroa-mites\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vita-europe.com\\\/beehealth\\\/disease\\\/varroa-mites\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vita-europe.com\\\/beehealth\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/varroa1.jpeg\",\"datePublished\":\"2012-02-15T19:00:24+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-05-14T15:28:17+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vita-europe.com\\\/beehealth\\\/disease\\\/varroa-mites\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vita-europe.com\\\/beehealth\\\/disease\\\/varroa-mites\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vita-europe.com\\\/beehealth\\\/disease\\\/varroa-mites\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vita-europe.com\\\/beehealth\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/varroa1.jpeg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vita-europe.com\\\/beehealth\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/varroa1.jpeg\",\"width\":\"192\",\"height\":\"125\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vita-europe.com\\\/beehealth\\\/disease\\\/varroa-mites\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vita-europe.com\\\/beehealth\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Diseases &amp; Pests\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vita-europe.com\\\/beehealth\\\/fr\\\/diseases-and-pests\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Diseases\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vita-europe.com\\\/beehealth\\\/diseases-old\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"Varroa Mites\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vita-europe.com\\\/beehealth\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vita-europe.com\\\/beehealth\\\/\",\"name\":\"Vita Bee Health\",\"description\":\"Global Honeybee Health Experts\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vita-europe.com\\\/beehealth\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Varroa Mites - Vita Bee Health","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.vita-europe.com\/beehealth\/disease\/varroa-mites\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Varroa Mites - Vita Bee Health","og_description":"Globally, the varroa mite, Varroa destructor, is the most serious threat to the western honeybee. Varroa is a parasite that feeds on the bee and acts as a vector for viruses. Untreated, colonies will die in just a few years. 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