Let's talk about the tiny vampire that's probably living in your hive right now: Varroa destructor. If you're new to beekeeping, you might be thinking, "Mites? Really? How bad can a little mite be? Let me tell you a story. In my second year of beekeeping, I had a gorgeous, thriving hive going into fall. The population was strong, the honey stores were abundant, and I felt like I'd finally figured this whole beekeeping thing out. I'd heard about varroa mites, but I figured I'd deal with them "later." By January, that colony was dead. Not from cold. Not from starvation. From varroa mites and the viruses they spread. That was a brutal lesson, and one I never want you to experience. Today, we're going to talk about varroa mite treatment in a way that's actually useful for beginners. No PhD required, just practical, actionable information. What Are Varroa Mites (And Why Should You Care)? Varroa mites are external parasites about the size of a pinhead that feed on bee larvae and adult bees. Think of them as ticks for bees. They weaken the bees directly by feeding on them, but the real damage comes from the viruses they transmit—deformed wing virus, acute bee paralysis virus, and others. Here's the scary part: every hive has varroa mites. It's not a question of if, but how many. A few mites? Your bees can handle it. A few hundred mites? Your colony is in serious trouble. A few thousand? You're looking at colony collapse. The goal isn't to eliminate every single mite (that's nearly impossible), but to keep the population below the threshold where they cause significant damage. That threshold is roughly 3 mites per 100 bees, or about 3% infestation rate. This is where a lot of beginners get confused. You can't just treat whenever you feel like it. Varroa mite treatment timing depends on your climate, your colony strength, and what treatment you're using. Here's my general rule of thumb: Spring Treatment (March-April): A light treatment to knock down the mite population before the main nectar flow. This gives your bees the best chance to build up strong and healthy for the season.