Varroa conference at WSDA/WSU Pollinator Lab – Othello, WA
Charlie Garrott
WSDA/WSU Pollinator Lab – Othello, WA
5/2/2026 Varroa Management Seminar at WSDA/WSU Pollinator Lab – Othello, WA
We attended this seminar at the WSU Pollinator Lab in Othello, WA. If you get the opportunity to attend an event here, it will be worthwhile. Bri Price organized the conference. There were several people there either already bee PhD’s or working on it.
Topics covered:
Varroa description, life cycle, impact. See attached presentation.
The presenter uncapped a cell and using a microscope and camera was able to show live mites in a cell. What a horror movie. See attached clip. “Phoretic” is no longer used – mites on bees are referred to as dispersal as they are using the bees as public transportation to their next cell target.
There was a great presentation on Varroa treatment options. See attached.
We had a good discussion around treating split hives. That gives a natural brood break when mites are exposed and not under caps.
Good discussion on Norroa. The pouch only has to be left in the hive for 10 days without supers. Treatment goes into bee food and lasts for 10 weeks.
They shared a test procedure to check for Amitraz resistance. This involved putting an Amitraz test patch in a cup, exposing bees to it for several hours to kill mites that drop off, then doing a standard alcohol wash to see how many mites remained on the bees after Amitraz exposure. Contact Bri Price if you are interested in this.
Tropoelaps threat presentation: they are hoping to be prepared for this as opposed to varroa invasion.
Bri is sponsoring a three year varroa survey. Contact her if you are interested in participating. See presentation attached.
They have a big honey processing machine center in their building.
We had a fun time in Othello. We can recommend the Othello Inn and Suites – inexpensive, clean, quiet. Plenty of good food in town. All kinds of agriculture going on in the area.
Melissa Potter
Ariana Wood
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Olympia Beekeepers Association Discussion Group
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