Varroa mite has been considered the greatest threat to the Australian bee industry. Here in New South Wales, on July 8, 2022, an industry agreed Response Plan was initiated. The goal is to eradicate varroa mite and minimise the impact on the bee industry, which seems reasonable. And, the threat should not be minimised, with on September 23, 100 farms in New South Wales being reported as having hives infected with varroa. The NSW Department of Primary Industries has euthanised more than 10,000 hives as part of this eradication program. Reflecting upon the possibility of my rather small number of hives here, used for pollination of my almond trees, getting infected, I did some research to see if there is some alternative way of dealing with the mites, rather than heavy chemicals, or simply killing the bees. So, when the chores were done, I went into the tool shed, cranked up the old internet and tried to find some alternatives. This is not meant as veterinary information, but for information purposes only, but I found it interesting that powered sugar was one method, to cause the mites to drop off the bees when the bees engage in grooming behaviour. Mites that drop to the ground are themselves vulnerable to predators, and also have a tendency not to try and get back into the hives. That will teach the little blitters a lesson or two!
https://extension.psu.edu/methods-to-control-varroa-mites-an-integrated-pest-management-approach#:~:text=Thymol.,control%20mites%20in%20brood%20cells