Bonus Short - Varroa Management Guide Update: What Beekeepers Need to Know
The Honey Bee Health Coalition just released the 9th edition of the Varroa Management Guide. For many beekeepers, this guide has become the go-to reference for cutting through misinformation and focusing on proven, research-backed practices. With this latest edition, the Coalition has made meaningful updates that reflect the increasing difficulty of controlling Varroa, even when best practices are followed.
The Honey Bee Health Coalition just released the 9th edition of the Varroa Management Guide. For many beekeepers, this guide has become the go-to reference for cutting through misinformation and focusing on proven, research-backed practices. With this latest edition, the Coalition has made meaningful updates that reflect the increasing difficulty of controlling Varroa, even when best practices are followed.
One of the most important changes is the adjustment of treatment thresholds. Becky points out that previous thresholds may not have been aggressive enough, particularly in environments where reinfestation pressure is high. The updated guide now takes a more responsive approach, incorporating seasonal context and more precise mite level guidance.
In addition, the guide expands treatment options and improves decision-making frameworks. It integrates key variables such as temperature, brood presence, and honey production timing—helping beekeepers choose the right treatment at the right time while minimizing unintended consequences.
Jeff emphasizes the ongoing challenge Varroa presents in the apiary, reinforcing the need for reliable guidance grounded in science. Together, he and Becky encourage listeners to download and study the updated guide, making it a central part of their Varroa management strategy.
This short episode serves as both an announcement and a reminder: effective Varroa management requires staying current, adapting strategies, and relying on trusted resources.
Honey Bee Health Coalition: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org
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[Bonus] Short - Varroa Management Guide Update: What Beekeepers Need to Know
Jeff Ott
Welcome to Beekeeping Today Podcast Shorts, your quick dive into the latest buzz in beekeeping.
Becky Masterman
In 20 minutes or less, we'll bring you one important story, keeping you informed and up to date.
Jeff Ott
No fluff, no fillers. Just the news you need.
Becky Masterman
Brought to you by Betterbee, your partners in Better Beekeeping.
Jeff Ott
Hey everybody, welcome to this short. Becky and I have some fantastic information to share with you.
Becky Masterman
I cannot tell you how excited I am. I've been waiting for this update. I've been telling people about it. I'm practically hosting a launch party for it.
Jeff Ott
Well, I'm still waiting for my invite. As you may have heard on our recent episode with Dr. Dewey Caron, the Honey Bee Health Coalition was about to release the ninth edition of their Varroa Management Guide, and we just received word that it is now available to download and review.
Becky Masterman
What an amazing resource. Wow, did they have to work hard this time, Jeff, to get this updated. There are some big changes in this guide.
Jeff Ott
There are. You mentioned the usefulness of the guide and the information they've updated. It's been the go-to manual for me for many years, helping cut through all the myths and misinformation. This is hard, science-backed research and management guidance for dealing with Varroa in our bee yards. I'll confess, Varroa frustrates me every year, and I'm really looking forward to this updated guide.
Becky Masterman
I don't care what I'm giving a talk about, I throw in a link to the Varroa Guide by the Honey Bee Health Coalition every chance I get. If I'm talking about habitat, I'll probably mention this guide. Every time I get in front of beekeepers, I talk about it because it's so valuable. One of the most aggressive and helpful moves this team has made is lowering the management threshold for Varroa. I didn't think the previous threshold was aggressive enough. That's part of the reason I'm throwing a party. They absolutely recognize that Varroa management is tough. Even if you know what you're doing and are using products correctly, it's still hard. I love that there's a shift in how we need to manage Varroa, especially in apiaries where you're surrounded by other beekeepers, because Varroa can travel.
Jeff Ott
The small nuances they've made are important. When the guide first came out, it was around ten mites per sample. In the previous edition, I believe it was three mites per hundred bees. The thresholds have continued to evolve.
Becky Masterman
I think you're up to two percent for some seasons now, which I still felt was too high.
Jeff Ott
They've changed it again. It's now based on season and mite counts. Those are some of the nuances that will help beekeepers better choose the right product or management approach going forward.
Becky Masterman
We have more options now. We've talked on the podcast about new products and new approaches becoming available. But once they're available, beekeepers need guidance. We need to know the best time to use these products, the implications for honey production, and how temperature, season, and brood presence affect treatment decisions. This is the one guide that puts all of that information together. They worked very hard to get it updated.
Jeff Ott
That's why we think this is such fantastic news. Folks, if you listen to this short, go to the Honey Bee Health Coalition website, look for the Varroa Management Guide, download it, start reading it, and memorize it. It is going to become your go-to resource for managing Varroa.
Becky Masterman
So well said.
