Control of Varroa

Build a stronger understanding of one of the most significant pests affecting honey bees with Control of Varroa, available from Hornsby Beekeeping Supplies.

Published by New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries, this book brings together more than 20 years of New Zealand experience managing Varroa. That history makes it particularly valuable for Australian beekeepers now operating in an environment where Varroa monitoring and management have become part of ongoing hive care.

Rather than focusing only on individual treatments, the book explains the pest itself, how populations develop and why management needs to be approached systematically.

Understand Varroa Biology

Good management begins with knowing what you are trying to control.

The book explores Varroa biology, population growth and the effects of mite infestation on honey bees.

Understanding how mite populations change within a colony helps explain why a hive can appear healthy at one stage and face increasing pressure later.

It also gives more context to monitoring results and treatment timing.

Sampling & Integrated Pest Management

Varroa cannot be managed effectively by guesswork.

Control of Varroa includes information on sampling methods, giving readers a stronger understanding of how mite levels can be assessed rather than relying only on visual inspection.

Integrated pest management is also discussed.

An IPM approach combines monitoring, management decisions and appropriate control methods instead of depending indefinitely on a single intervention.

That broader framework is especially relevant where resistance and treatment efficacy are ongoing concerns.

Chemical Control, Resistance & Residues

The guide discusses chemical control and the problems associated with resistance.

This is an important topic because repeated dependence on the same treatment approach can change how effectively it performs over time.

Residues are also considered, helping the reader understand that mite management must be balanced with responsible hive-product handling.

A detailed appendix provides accessible treatment information, although treatment labels, registrations and legal requirements can change.

Australian beekeepers should therefore use this book as a technical reference while following current Australian and NSW instructions, approved labels and regulatory guidance for actual treatment decisions.

Learn from International Experience

The book contains case studies from New Zealand and overseas, allowing Australian readers to learn from regions that have managed Varroa for much longer.

It also examines historical attempts to breed Varroa-resistant bees, giving the topic a broader perspective beyond chemical treatments alone.

For beekeepers who want to understand why Varroa management is an ongoing process rather than a one-off treatment, this is a valuable addition to the bookshelf.

Order Control of Varroa from Hornsby Beekeeping Supplies. For books, monitoring equipment and Varroa-management supplies, call 02 9477 5569 or email info@hornsby-beekeeping.com.