What is Varroa?

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Varroa is parasite that lives only on honeybees. It is a small crab like insect with eight legs and about 1.2mm across and used to live only on the Asian honeybee (Apis Cerana). Due to man moving bees around the world this parasite transferred to the European honeybee (Apis Mellifera) which cannot tolerate this pest. There is no effect on honey but it has been a huge problem for beekeepers throughout most of the world. Due to Varroa, wild feral colonies of bees will die out and only well managed colonies will survive.

The most common method to treat Varroa is towards the end of the season once the honey has been removed, slow release chemicals are introduced into the colony. Other more natural methods are being tried with varying degrees of success, research is on going with the ultimate goal of breeding a resistant strain of honey bee.

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