Varroa monitoring & threshold helper

Treating varroa on a fixed schedule is flying blind. This helper builds a simple monitoring plan for your apiary and explains general threshold zones, without overwhelming you with charts.

Tell us about your apiary

Number of colonies

• Total colonies you normally manage in this plan (1–50).

Apiary configuration

• Single yard
• Several small yards (2–5 locations)

Climate & hemisphere

• Hemisphere: North / South
• Climate: Cold / Temperate / Warm

Current season

• Current month
• Main honey flow month(s) (if you know them)

Your preferred monitoring method

Monitoring method

Which method do you mainly use or want to use?

• Alcohol wash
• Sugar roll / icing sugar
• CO₂ method
• Sticky boards / bottom boards

Comfort level

• “I’m OK sacrificing a small sample of bees for accurate counts.”
• “I strongly prefer non-lethal methods.”

We’ll use this to highlight pros and cons, not to force you into one method.

Your monitoring schedule

You’ll see your season broken into simple phases (names may vary by climate):

• Early season / spring build-up
• Main honey flow
• Late summer / post-flow
• Autumn / pre-winter

For each phase, the tool suggests:

• How many formal checks to aim for in that phase.
• Which method is most practical and informative.
• Minimum sampling idea – for example, sample at least a certain percentage of colonies across the yard, not only your favourite hive.

Example (illustrative only):

“In a temperate, northern climate with a main flow in June–July and 12 colonies in a single yard, aim for:
– 1 check in spring build-up,
– 1–2 checks between the end of the main flow and late summer,
– 1 check before winter.
At each check, sample at least 3–4 colonies using an alcohol wash or sugar roll for reliable numbers.”

General threshold zones

The helper also explains simple, zone-based thresholds:

• Low zone – you are likely safe to continue monitoring and delay treatment.
• Medium zone – you should watch closely, monitor again soon and prepare treatment options.
• High zone – you are in a danger zone; consult local guidelines and consider prompt action.

Because exact thresholds vary by country, method and time of year, we describe these as zones, not hard numbers. Where appropriate, we’ll mention example ranges used in some regions and remind you to check your own local recommendations.

Always follow your local beekeeping organisation’s or veterinary authority’s official threshold and treatment guidelines.

Print or save your plan

You can open a simple, print-friendly page that includes:

• your climate and season phases,
• suggested check windows,
• a short explanation of your chosen method,
• a blank log where you can write actual counts for each date.

How this helper works

This tool:

• assumes you want to monitor first, treat based on evidence,
• uses your climate and flow information to space checks sensibly through the season,
• encourages you to sample more than one “pet hive”.

It does not:

• tell you which product to use or when exactly to treat;
• replace detailed national varroa guidelines;
• guarantee varroa control – it just helps you see the problem clearly.

FAQ

How many colonies should I sample each time?
A common approach is to sample at least a few colonies across the whole yard – for example, 10–20% of colonies in a small apiary, including some strong and some average ones. The helper gives suggestions, but always check local best practice.

Which method is best?
Alcohol wash and sugar roll are generally considered more precise than sticky boards alone, but they require more handling and (for alcohol) sacrificing some bees. The helper will recommend methods based on your comfort level and season.

Can I rely only on sticky boards?
Sticky boards can show trends but are often less precise on their own. Use them together with a sampling method where possible, especially at critical times of year.

How often should I test during a strong honey flow?
In many regions, beekeepers try not to disturb colonies too much in peak flow, but still aim for at least one formal check around that period. The helper will suggest a balance based on your climate and flow.

Related tools & resources

• Varroa Strategy Planner – turn your monitoring results into a full-season control plan.
• Hive Inspection Checklist Generator – add specific varroa checks to your inspection routines.

From the blog:

• Varroa monitoring basics for small apiaries