How To Identify Beehive Pests &Parasites Early ?

There are various pests that can affect your hives from functioning optimally so in this article I'm going to touch base on a few. 


1-Varroa Mites :


Is an external parasitic mite that attacks honey bees. The disease caused by the mites is called varroatosis.


The adult mite is reddish-brown in color; has a flat, button shape; is 1–1.8 mm long and 1.5–2 mm wide; and has eight legs.


This parasite is common in new colonies. delayed treatment of these parasites gives them the ability to build up resistance to any form of treatment that's applied in the future.


If an infected colony is not treated it will be wiped out within three years .


Varroa Mites has reached epidemic levels all over the world .


2- Wax Moth :

Although they are not making too much trouble for the honey bees but if during the destruction of the moth larvae the combs spill, they can contaminate stored honey and possibly kill bee larvae.

Most developed hives didn't need treatment to control wax moths as the bees are able to kill & clean out the dead moth larvae and webs.

3- Tracheal Mite :

Is a small parasitic mite that infests the airways of the honey bee causing the bees to be exhausted most of the time .

The most obvious signs of this are an increased number in crawling bees outside the hive .

4- Hive Beetle :

They are small dark beetles that live in beehives, they can take over the colony and drive out the bees.

Magdy Elhalawany