Key Takeaways from Recent Talks on Mite Management: Insights from Bob Bennie and Greg Rogers
If you’re a beekeeper looking to deepen your understanding of mite management, there are some valuable insights shared by Bob Bennie from Georgia and Greg Rogers from Asheville. These two experts recently recorded a two-part series, which I highly recommend watching. While the videos are around 45 minutes each, they offer research-backed recommendations that have truly changed my approach to testing and treating mite infestations.
Here are a few key takeaways from their talks, which will be especially relevant for beekeepers planning their treatments in the coming months:
1. Oxalic Acid (OA) – A Suppressant, Not a Cure
Bob and Greg emphasize that oxalic acid (OA) should be viewed as a suppressant rather than a complete mite elimination solution. OA can be effective if used early in the season before mite levels get out of control. However, it’s important to note that it doesn’t fully eradicate mites, and it works best as part of an integrated approach to mite management.
2. No Evidence of Resistance to OA (Yet)
One of the reassuring points they made is that there is no proven resistance to oxalic acid at this time. This means that, despite its frequent use, it remains an effective treatment. They also discussed the new Varroxan product (featured in the second video) and recommended rotating treatments throughout the year. Even with long-release applications, you can safely apply oxalic acid more than once annually. Importantly, vapor from OA treatments lasts just 24-48 hours in the hive, and it doesn’t get absorbed by the wax, which means it’s less likely to impact the hive long-term.
3. Testing in April/May Might Not Be Reliable
Another important point made during the talks is the potential inaccuracy of mite testing during April and May. During this time, most of the mites are likely to be in sealed brood, meaning tests conducted during these months may not provide an accurate picture of the true mite levels in your hives. This is crucial information to keep in mind when planning your treatments.
If you’re interested in diving deeper into these topics, I highly encourage you to watch both parts of the video series. They offer valuable insights that can help you refine your mite management strategy for the upcoming season. Bob and Greg will also be speaking in January at the NHBC conference in Kentucky, where they will share even more of their latest research and findings.
Watch the videos here:
These talks are a great opportunity to enhance your knowledge and stay up-to-date on the latest mite management strategies.