bee viruses

Diseases Caused or Spread by the Varroa Mite

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A honey bee on a brood frame with a visible varroa mite attached to its thorax.

The varroa mite is more than just a parasite. It’s a disease vector that weakens your bees’ immune systems and spreads viral infections throughout the hive. Understanding the most common diseases associated with varroa is a critical part of managing hive health. If you’re seeing colony decline—even if mite levels seem low—it’s important to consider … Read more

What Is the Varroa Mite and Why It Matters

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The varroa mite (Varroa destructor) is one of the most destructive threats to honey bee colonies in the world. These tiny, parasitic mites attach themselves to both adult bees and developing brood, feeding on their fat bodies and transmitting a variety of deadly viruses. If you’re getting into beekeeping, understanding varroa mites is not optional. … Read more