You Mean Bugs Have Bugs???

When I first got into beekeeping, the friend who was helping me get started assisted with installing my first packages of bees.  I bargained with him that I would buy the bees if he would supply the hive, and we would split the honey. After we got the bugs in the box, he reached into his truck and pulled out an electric wand-like gadget and a battery, and said, “We’ll go ahead and treat for mites.”

I asked, “Treat for mites? Bees have mites?”

Little did I know! 

When you hear beekeepers talk about treating, losing hives, fighting a seemingly endless battle, or the rising cost of treatments, it starts to become clear why honey is so valuable. It also sheds light on why so many of us advocate to “save the bees.” In addition to pesticides, weather extremes, habitat loss, and other environmental stressors, bees face an often more threatening problem than all of these: bugs have bugs.

Bugs on Bugs on Bugs

The worst of these in the United States is the Varroa Destructor mite, which likely causes more colony losses than any other single factor. Add to that the constant pressure of small hive beetles, tracheal mites (less common now than in the past), and the looming threat of the Tropilaelaps mite which is already widespread in many countries and expected to be a problem in the U.S. While mites feed off the fat bodies of the bees, the biggest problem is they are the greatest vector of honey bee viruses and diseases.  This also weakens the colony and their immune systems so they are less resistant to other causes of disease and weaknesses. 

Some researchers and beekeepers suggest that Tropilaelaps may be even more destructive than varroa. On top of that, bees are in continual conflict with various ant species that can cause problems in the hive. Interestingly, some ants (such as fire ants) can provide limited benefits by consuming small hive beetle larvae in the soil, though they come with their own significant downsides, especially when the beekeeper steps in a mound, or they build their mound to the side of the hive.  Fire ants are also a huge problem for beekeepers who migrate their bees for pollination, especially to the almonds in California. 

To Treat or Not To Treat- That is The Question!

One of the most debated topics in beekeeping, especially related to varroa, is to treat or not treat. Treating colonies has clear drawbacks. Mites can develop resistance, some treatments negatively affect bees, and the financial cost can be substantial. Beekeepers must also use PPE for some products to avoid negative effects. On the other hand, not treating is often framed as a way to encourage natural resistance. While that idea is appealing, the reality is that many colonies die in the process, and the pests are evolving just as fast, if not faster, than the bees. As with most things, both philosophies have their pros and cons.

The Answer Lies In Balance

Treat when necessary. Treat less when possible. Use options that are less likely to cause resistance or harm bees, and as natural as possible. Most importantly, recognize that chemical and biological treatments are only one piece of the puzzle. This broader, more balanced approach is known as Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Basically, that means not relying on one type of treatment effort.  It may include chemical or biological treatments, but along with things such as intentional brood breaks, splitting, drone frame removal, bio-security, and especially intentional breeding efforts. 

A critical component of IPM is testing for varroa mites. Treating without testing leaves you guessing. You don’t know what the colony actually needs, nor can you evaluate whether a treatment worked. While most reliable testing methods, such as an alcohol wash, do result in the loss of a small number of bees, they are far more accurate than less-lethal methods like sugar rolls or CO₂ testing. Those sacrificed bees, difficult as it may be for especially new beeks to accept, serve the greater good of the colony, and honey bees as a whole.

Breed Better Bees!

Regardless of Philosophy, breeding better bees is essential. Bees that naturally manage varroa more effectively are often described as hygienic or VSH (Varroa Sensitive Hygiene). However, as with many forms of selective breeding, emphasizing one trait too heavily can diminish others. In agriculture, for example, many crops, such as tomatoes, have been bred for disease resistance at the expense of flavor. Similarly, bees that are overly hygienic may struggle to build and maintain strong populations, and may not make much honey (for themselves nor extra for us). 

Researchers have explored additional hygienic traits that may avoid these downsides, but so far, none have proven to be a complete solution. One of the more interesting ones is a line of honey bees called "ankle biters" because they have been known to bite the ankles of the mites, effectively rendering them helpless. 

Once again, balance is key. Still, an emphasis on VSH stock remains at the forefront, as the viruses transmitted by varroa and other pests can devastate colonies.  A sacrifice of a smaller population is preferable to a entire colony lost to viruses and disease.  As the saying goes, "Dead bees don't make honey."  

Will It Ever End (or Go Back To The Way It Used To Be)?

It is, without question, a never-ending battle, but one that thoughtful management, good science, and balanced practices can help us fight more effectively.  That is my philosophy, and what we strive to do when breeding queens, introducing genetic diversity, and caring for our colonies with a sensible IPM system across the entire year.  

(c) James C. Guy, 2025 (permission to share the webpage link only)

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