Why Varroa Mite Control Is the Key to Hive Survival and Honey Production
If you’re a beekeeper, you already know that the health and productivity of your hives depend on many factors. However, one factor has the greatest impact on long-term success: effective varroa mite control. Proper varroa management plays a critical role in hive survival, colony strength, and honey production, making it one of the most important aspects of modern beekeeping in New Zealand.
Here’s why getting varroa mite control right matters so much - and how to approach it in modern New Zealand conditions.
Varroa Mite Control and Hive Survival
Varroa mites remain the most significant threat to honey bee colonies in New Zealand. Hives without effective varroa control often struggle to survive winter, and even if they do, they emerge weak and slow to build in spring. In contrast, colonies with consistently low mite levels are far more likely to survive successfully and produce strong populations ready for honey flows.
Keeping Varroa Infestation Levels Low
The goal of effective varroa mite management is to keep infestation levels consistently low throughout the season. High varroa mite counts weaken adult bees, increase virus loads, and significantly raise the risk of hive losses. This is why regular varroa monitoring is critical so that you are treating based on what’s happening inside your hives.
Varroa Monitoring: Measure, Don’t Guess
Regular varroa monitoring is essential for making informed treatment decisions. Whether you use alcohol washes, sugar shakes, or other approved monitoring methods, measuring mite levels allows you to act early.
Treating on a fixed schedule alone is no longer enough - understanding mite levels inside your hives means you can act early, prevent infestations from escalating, and protect hive health and honey production.
The Science: More Bees, Less Virus
New Zealand research continues to reinforce what many beekeepers already see in the field.
A recent study by Plant & Food Research NZ found that hives with well-managed varroa levels had around twice as many adult bees as hives with poor control (above 10 mites per 300 bees), along with significantly lower virus loads. These two factors, strong bee numbers and reduced virus pressure, are among the most important drivers of hive survival and honey production.
Rethinking Varroa Treatment Timing in NZ
One of the most common misconceptions in modern beekeeping is that spring and autumn varroa treatments alone are sufficient. With higher virus loads now common, this traditional approach often falls short.
Effective varroa mite control must be based on measured mite levels, not just the time of year.
Why Waiting Until Autumn Can Be Too Late
What was once considered the standard autumn varroa treatment often can’t wait in New Zealand conditions. After strong honey flows and sustained high brood levels, varroa mite populations can rise quickly, meaning many hives require treatment as soon as the honey flow ends - often in late January or February.
To maintain effective varroa mite control year-round, consider adding a third treatment to your varroa management plan. Many New Zealand beekeepers are achieving better results by applying a Formic Pro knockdown immediately after the honey flow, then delaying the main autumn treatment until March. This approach creates longer periods of low mite levels, reducing virus pressure and supporting improved hive survival and stronger spring honey production.
Summer Varroa Treatment Options in New Zealand
If varroa monitoring shows high varroa mite levels during the honey flow, a summer varroa treatment may be required. Many beekeepers use Bayvarol at this stage to reduce mite numbers and protect hive health until a post-honey flow treatment can be applied. When Bayvarol is used in summer, it should be followed by Apitraz in winter or early spring as part of a resistance-aware varroa management programme. Formic Pro is also an effective option when temperatures are suitable.
Alongside treatments, ventilated bottom boards are a practical tool within a varroa management system. By allowing fallen mites to drop out of the hive rather than reattaching to bees, they help reduce background mite load. When used with pest trays, they also make mite monitoring quicker and more accurate, supporting better treatment decisions during long honey flows.
The Payoff: Stronger Hives and More Honey
Extra monitoring and additional treatments do require time and investment. However, the return is clear.
An additional summer Bayvarol treatment for hives that need it may cost more upfront, but it often pays for itself many times over through:
- Improved hive survival
- Stronger spring populations
- Increased honey yields
Healthy bees produce more honey, and varroa control is central to that outcome.
Bottom Line
For New Zealand beekeepers, successful varroa mite control comes down to three fundamentals:
- Monitor your hives regularly
- Treat based on mite counts, not the calendar
- Use the right varroa treatment products at the right time
