Spring Mite Treatments: Start the Season Strong

Spring Mite Treatments: Start the Season Strong

By Mark Vanderende | The Foraging Bee – Let’s 🐝 Curious and Have Fun with Bees Together!

Why Spring Mite Management Matters

As beekeepers, we often think of Varroa destructor as a late-season threat — but the truth is, your spring decisions can make or break your bees' entire year.

Mites that survived the winter reproduce quickly once brood rearing begins in early spring. Even a few mites in March can become thousands by August — and by then, it may be too late.

Starting the season with low mite loads means:

• Healthier spring brood

• Fewer viral infections

• Stronger colonies for honey production

• Better overwintering success in the fall

So how do we get ahead of the game?

Let’s dive into the tools and techniques sustainable beekeepers can use in spring to manage mites — safely and effectively.

Step 1: Know Your Numbers – Monitor First

Before you treat, you need to assess your mite levels.

Recommended Monitoring Methods:

• Alcohol Wash (most accurate): Target 300 bees from the brood nest, and count mites in the solution.

• Sugar Roll (gentler alternative): Dust bees with powdered sugar and shake into a container to count mites.

• Sticky Boards: Less precise, but useful if you’re checking multiple hives with minimal disturbance.

Spring Treatment Threshold:

If you find 2+ mites per 100 bees in spring, treatment is recommended.
Even 1% in early spring can become dangerous if left unchecked.

Step 2: Choose the Right Treatment for Spring Conditions

Spring presents unique challenges: cooler temperatures, growing brood, and sensitive colonies emerging from winter. You want a treatment that’s effective, but gentle enough not to derail colony buildup.

Here are your best options:

1. Formic Acid (Mite Away Quick Strips / Formic Pro)

Pros:

• Kills mites under capped brood (rare for treatments!)

• Can be used while honey supers are on

• Organic-approved

Ideal for:
Strong colonies with early brood, and daytime highs between 10°C and 25°C (50°F–77°F)

Cautions:

• Too cold = ineffective. Too warm = queen loss, bee death.

• Do not use on weak colonies or with poor ventilation.

• Can temporarily suppress egg laying.

Mark’s Tip:
I prefer to use Formic if we hit a warm window in March or April — but always check the weather for a 7-day stretch before applying.

2. Oxalic Acid (Vaporization or Dribble)

Pros:

• Easy to apply

• Organic-approved

• Gentle on bees when brood is minimal

• Affordable

Ideal for:

• Very early spring (Feb–March), before significant brood is present

• Split hives or swarms with minimal brood

Cautions:

• Only effective on phoretic mites (on adult bees), not inside capped brood

• Less useful once brood rearing ramps up

• Vaporization requires safety gear (mask, goggles)

Mark’s Tip:
This is my go-to for early cleanup before the queens kick into high gear. If there’s still snow on the ground, oxalic is your friend.

3. Thymol-Based Treatments (Apiguard, ApiLife VAR)

Pros:

• Organic option

• Less harsh than formic

• Can be effective over longer treatment periods

Ideal for:
Warmer spring temperatures (above 15°C consistently), and before adding honey supers

Cautions:

• Temperature sensitive — too cool and it won’t work well

• Can cause bee irritation or absconding if used in small hives

4. Mechanical & Brood Management Techniques

Pair chemical treatments with sustainable practices to lower mite loads naturally:

Brood Breaks / Splits:

• Create a brood break by making splits or nucs

• Mites can’t reproduce without capped brood!

Drone Brood Removal:

• Trap mites in drone comb (mites prefer drone cells), then freeze and remove capped drone frames

Screened Bottom Boards:

• Encourage natural mite drop

Step 3: Follow-Up and Plan Ahead

Mite management is not one-and-done. Spring treatment is just the beginning.

After treatment:

• Re-monitor 2–3 weeks later (alcohol wash is best)

• Keep records for each hive

• Consider your summer plan (e.g., late-July oxalic vapor or a second Formic treatment before honey harvest)

Summary Cheat Sheet: Spring Mite Treatment

MethodBest TimeKills Mites in Brood?Temperature RangeNotesOxalic Acid (Vapor)Late Winter / Early SpringNoAny (best <10°C)Best when brood is minimalFormic AcidEarly-Mid SpringYes10–25°CWatch temps & colony strengthThymolMid-Late SpringSomewhat15–30°CLonger treatment; wait for warmthDrone RemovalSpring–SummerN/AAnyGood IPM support strategyBrood BreaksSpring / SummerYes (indirectly)N/ANatural & sustainable

Final Thoughts

Starting your season with low mite loads gives your bees the best shot at success.
Whether you’re aiming for a honey haul, queen rearing, or just keeping bees healthy, spring mite management is your first real investment in the season.

Let’s not wait until it’s too late.
Monitor. Treat. Record. Repeat.
And let’s 🐝 curious — your bees (and your future self) will thank you.

Call to Action:

Join me on the Edu-🐝 video series or at Sunday in the Hives at Rain Bird Farms to get hands-on with mite monitoring and sustainable apiary practices.

Follow @foragingbee on Instagram for tips, checklists, and treatment reminders through the seasons.
Let’s build stronger bees — together.